A view of the Sharjah corniche. File

The Sharjah authorities have denied the rumours of a tiger on the loose in one of the areas of the Emirate on Saturday.

The authorities said, “The Environment and Natural Reserves Authority denies the rumour circulating about the presence of a tiger in one of the areas of the Emirate of Sharjah.

“It calls on the public to verify information from official authorities and not to circulate rumours.”

There was a sense of panic when some social media users resorted to false information and circulated that a tiger was roaming free in the streets of Sharjah.

This information led the authorities in the emirate to issue an official statement clarifying that it was a rumour and there is no tiger on the loose.

Under UAE law, there is a hefty fine for for spreading rumours, false news.

The Public Prosecution had published a video on its social media accounts highlighting the potential penalties for spreading rumours and false news, in accordance with Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021 aimed at combatting the spread of rumours and fake news.

The Public Prosecution pointed out that according to Article 52 of the law, anyone who uses the internet to publish, circulate or spread false news, rumours or misleading information, contrary to the news published by official sources, could be punished by imprisonment for at least one year and fined Dhs100,000.

In case the publishing of false news or rumours agitates public opinion against state authorities or occurs during times of pandemic, crises or disasters, the violator could be imprisoned for at least two years and fined Dhs200,000.

The Public Prosecution published this information as part of its ongoing legal cultural awareness campaign aimed at raising the public's awareness.