Mecca Municipality has decided to fire the workers involved in torturing a group of camels in a slaughterhouse run by the municipality.

The case had first gained public attention after a video documenting the barbaric abuse made the rounds on social media. 

In response, Mecca Municipality Spokesman, Othman Mali, announced the municipality has dismissed the Sudanese guard of the slaughterhouse and all the workers who took part in the assault, according to Arab News.

In the viral video*, a slaughterhouse worker is seen brutally beating a camel with a stick. The camel can be seen bleeding and expressing agonizing pain.

Towards the end of the video, several workers can be seen beating camels in the same manner, trying to force them into the slaughterhouse. 

The video was reportedly taken by a Saudi citizen who was disturbed by the incident.

One of the slaughterhouse's guards stopped the citizen and told him he is not allowed to take photos. 

"Can't you see how harsh the worker is dealing with the camel there," the citizen asked the guard, as translated by Arab News. "There are better ways to deal with camels!"

The latter replied, "Well, you are not that camel, why you are bothered?"

*The video can be found online, but we have chosen not to share it as it contains graphic clips of animal abuse. 

The video had triggered outrage on social media last week, with many users pointing out that prophet Mohammed had urged his followers to treat camels, and animals in general, with kindness.

"Sadly, some humans have become completely merciless," one Twitter user said.

Responding to the incident, Mecca's municipality vowed to take the necessary measures against those involved in the abuse. 

"It was decided to exclude the Sudanese guard of the slaughterhouse and all the workers who participated in beating the camels, and decided to prevent them from working in the slaughterhouses of the Municipality," spokesman Mali said.

According to Mali, the contractor has been forced to provide a crane to carry camels to the slaughterhouse and will face penalties and fines.

In 2016, after several graphic videos documenting animal abuse in Saudi Arabia were shared on social media, director general of Prince Saud Al-Faisal Center for Wildlife Research in Taif, Ahmed Al-Bouq, issued a warning stating that torturing animals could lead to a fine of up to SR400,000 ($106,648).

Islamic law, which is applied in the kingdom, forbids animal abuse and considers it as a sin.

The Qur'an gives directives about how Muslims should treat animals, and Prophet Mohammed is known to have chastised people who mistreated animals.

To raise awareness on the dangers of celebratory gunfire in Lebanon, local NGO Permanent Peace Movement, staged a pretty unique stunt at a wedding exhibition. 

To spread its anti-gun message, the NGO told couples attending Wedding Folies 2017, that a new gun service company called "Eleguns" could offer  them celebratory "gun shows" at their weddings. 

After explaining the fake service to couples, campaign representatives then revealed the entire thing was a stunt, sharing information on the issue and asking couples to sign pledges vowing to keep their weddings safe and gun-free.

In a statement to StepFeed, Fadi Abi Allam, President and Executive Director of Permanent Peace Movement, said:

“Our campaign was controversial in nature in an attempt to get people talking about the dangers of celebratory gunfire and ultimately, to change behavior. It’s time that we let go of age-old traditions that hinder us from moving forward as a society.”

Abi Allam also stressed on the importance of raising awareness on the environmental, physical, and financial repercussions of celebratory gunfire.

"Don't let us become a reckless generation who celebrates happiness by firing gun shots! Sign this pledge so that your happiness doesn't turn into someone else's sorrow." 

While many people seem unaware of the fact, celebratory gunfire is illegal across Lebanon. 

The reckless action carries a sentence of six months to three years; in cases where death occurs, a sentence of 10 years minimum. 

Even though the anti celebratory gunfire law does exist in the country, the legislation hasn't been fully enforced in many cities and some shooters still get away with firing shots at weddings and other events. 

This is why it's important to continuously raise awareness on the matter and ensure people understand its dangers.