What is the penalty for owning predatory animals in Iraq?

Activists on social media circulate videos showing people owning predatory animals such as lions, hyenas, and wolves. The latest is a clip of a lion sticking his head out of the window of a car in the Karrada area, in the center of the capital, Baghdad.

Regarding the legality of citizens' possession of these predatory and dangerous animals, legal expert Dr. Ali Al-Tamimi explained the penalties against the owners of these animals.

Al-Tamimi told PUKmedia, "The Wild Animals Protection Law No.17 of 2010 in Article 9 penalizes 3 years in prison and a fine of 3 million dinars for acquiring predators and leaving them on the streets like lions."

He declared that according to this law, the animal must be confiscated and its owners arrested, and the law also prohibits import.



PUKmedia