Police have arrested a woman who is accused of killing eight puppies in Ishwardi of Pabna. She is the lone accused in the case filed under the Animal Welfare Act 2019.
Nishi Rahman, wife of a government official, tied the puppies in a sack and dumped them in a pond on Sunday night. Their bodies were recovered on Monday and buried beside the UNO residence later that day, according to the case documents.
The mother dog named Tom had long taken shelter at a corner of the UNO residence and gave birth to eight puppies a week ago. On Monday morning, Tom was seen running around after failing to find her puppies. Later the mother dog was placed under the care of local livestock officer for treatment.
When the incident came to light Barrister Shajib Mahmud Alam sent a notice to the Ishwardi Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Upazila Livestock Officer Aklima Khatun, warning High Court action. Later police arrested Nishi from her residence. Her family was instructed to vacate the government quarter where they reside.
However, this is not an isolated incident. Earlier this month, a case of a cat being slaughtered and burned in Bogura sparked significant discussion on social media.
Prior to this, in late November 2024, allegations emerged of street dogs and cats being killed by poisoning in the residential area of Japan Garden City in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur. At that time, animal rights activists took to the field expressing concern over the deaths of at least ten dogs and cats within a short period.
Consequently, many are raising a question that is there any provision to protect the animals or any law to punish the criminals for killing, torturing, or injuring these helpless and innocent dogs or cats? Besides, can a person seek safety or legal remedy for street dogs on their own? Or can the police take action on their own accord?
What does the law say?
The Cruelty to Animals Act-1920, related to animal cruelty in Bangladesh, was repealed and the Animal Welfare Act 2019 was enacted.
According to the 2019 Act, no court will accept a case without a written complaint from the authority. This means not just anyone can seek legal remedy or file a case for such offenses.
The application of this law is not in the hands of citizens. A case cannot be filed without someone from the Department of Livestock Services. Essentially, the hurdle in the Animal Welfare Act lies here.
What is maximum punishment for killing animal?
The Animal Welfare Act 2019 was enacted with the aim of preventing cruelty to animals and promoting kind treatment.
Lawyers say offenses under this act are non-cognisable and bailable. Animals have been categorised into two groups in this act — owned and ownerless. No ownerless animal can be killed or removed without reasons mentioned in this act.
What behaviour will be considered cruel towards animals is mentioned in Section 6 and 7 of this Act. Amputation and killing an animal by poisoning will also be considered offenses.
However, if an animal is in a critical condition or incurably ill, and keeping it alive is considered cruelty, it can be euthanised with the permission of the district magistrate.
Furthermore, the law provides no leeway for killing, torturing, or being cruel to pets or street dogs or cats.
If anyone commits these crimes, the punishment is imprisonment for up to six months without hard labour or a fine of Tk10,000. And if done a second time, imprisonment for up to two years without hard labour and a fine of Tk50,000.
This punishment is applicable for both owned and unowned or street dogs or cats. Mobile courts can also try the offenses mentioned under this act against animals.
International rules for exotic pet trade
Conservationists are pushing for stronger international regulations as the booming exotic pet trade, fueled by online sales and social media, threatens reptiles, birds, and other wildlife.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), meeting in Uzbekistan is considering trade bans or restrictions on species including Galápagos iguanas, Latin American tarantulas, and Africa’s Home’s Hinged-back Tortoise.
Susan Lieberman of the Wildlife Conservation Society highlighted the shift, stating, “They don’t have to go into a pet shop. Endangered and illegally obtained species are just a click away.”
Matt Collis of International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) warned social media has fueled demand, with many animals trafficked from Latin America to Europe, Asia, and the United States.
While a commercial trade ban was approved for the critically endangered Home’s Hinged-back Tortoise, proposals for species like rattlesnakes and iguanas, which Ecuador says fetch up to $25,000 on the black market, are under discussion. Experts warn loopholes allow wild-caught animals to be laundered as captive-bred.
“Captive breeding was meant to reduce pressure on wild populations, but it often creates a market for cheaper wild-caught animals,” Lieberman explained.
Pet trade groups argue some proposals are excessive, but a report notes the US imports 90 million live exotic animals yearly, warning, “Wildlife exploitation, including for the pet trade, is a major driver of the global extinction crisis.”
