A man is seen dyeing a dog with blue paint in a video that circulated on TikTok. Police in Basra said he was arrested and now faces legal action under Article 486 of the Penal Code.
Man arrested in Basra after viral TikTok video shows dog painted blue
BASRA — Police in Basra said they arrested a man who appeared in a viral TikTok video painting a dog blue, describing the act as animal abuse and a violation of Iraqi law.
“After monitoring a video circulated on the TikTok platform showing a person painting a dog with blue paint in a behavior that is deplorable and contrary to human values, patrols from the Huwayr Police Department, in coordination with the City Crime Unit, arrested the suspect and placed him in detention to face legal measures under Article 486 of the Penal Code,” Basra Police Command said in a statement.
Authorities noted the man later appeared in a second video apologizing, but police said they “did not show leniency with the incident.”
Police stressed that “such offensive actions do not represent the values and morals of Iraqi society” and urged citizens to use social media responsibly.
Article 486 of Iraq’s Penal Code sets penalties for animal abuse, including up to three months’ detention or a fine for those who beat, torment or cruelly punish animals, or overwork them while sick or injured.