Dogs Released to Attack a Cat in Jordan: What Does the Law Say?

A widely shared video said to have been filmed in the Shmeisani district of Amman appears to show a person releasing dogs towards a cat and recording the incident on a phone. It has renewed discussion of animal protection and responsibility for acts involving animals in a person's custody. Circulation of the video alone does not establish what happened or identify those involved; the facts and evidence must be investigated.

Article 467(3) of Jordan's Penal Code addresses a person who releases a harmful animal in their custody. Whether the provision applies depends on the animal's nature, the person's custody of it and the act committed. The animal's presence or ownership alone does not establish criminal liability.

An accidental escape is different from a person's deliberate release or direction of an animal. If an investigation establishes that someone released the dogs towards the cat, that person's conduct and intent must be assessed against the requirements of the applicable criminal provisions. Merely owning the dogs does not prove an offence.

Article 467(4) separately concerns urging a dog to attack or chase passers-by. Its subject differs from an attack on a cat; it does not apply merely because dogs were involved.

A video may help establish what happened if it clearly shows the act and the person responsible. The competent authorities can examine its authenticity, content and context alongside other evidence. Recording the incident does not, by itself, necessarily constitute a separate offence.

Animal-welfare and anti-cruelty provisions exist alongside criminal rules that may apply depending on the conduct, surrounding circumstances and outcome. Not every incident involving an animal falls under one provision; the facts and legislation in force must be examined before assigning a legal classification.

Criminal liability is personal. A person is not criminally responsible for every action of an animal solely because they own it. If they deliberately used, released or directed the animal, however, their own conduct may be assessed under the elements of the applicable offence.