Fake news alert: This photo and story on social media is not true, says General Directorate

Muscat: If you are sent or see online a photograph of three men with a story about a family being poisoned by dog meat, it is not true, officials say. The General Directorate of the Regional Municipalities and Water Resources in the Governorate of North Al-Sharqiyya has released the photograph along with a statement to stop rumours circulating on Whatsapp and other social media of a family being poisoned. The picture circulated shows three men, and reads: "A family was poisoned after eating dinner at a restaurant in Ibra'a, because the meal contained meat from small dogs (puppies). The restaurant workers were arrested and confessed to the crime." The Municipality of North Al Sharqiyya has confirmed the message is false and issued a statement with the photograph: "We can confirm that the attached picture has no basis in reality, and that there is no truth to what is being circulated."