Police arrested the wife of a government official after a case was filed against her over the killing of eight puppies by throwing them into a pond in Pabna’s Ishwardi.
Ishwardi Upazila Livestock Officer Aklima Khatun filed the case against Nishi around 11:30pm on Tuesday.
The case was lodged under Section 7 of the Animal Welfare Act 2019, said Ishwardi Police Station’s Officer-in-charge ASM Abdun Nur.
Nishi, 38, wife of Small Farmers Development Foundation official Hasanur Rahman Noyon, was named as the lone accused, the OC confirmed.
Ishwardi Circle Additional Superintendent of Police Pranab Kumar said the arrest was made during a raid on the fourth floor of a house near Rahimpur Girls’ School.
Nishi will be produced before a court after legal procedures.
Livestock Officer Aklima Khatun said the incident sparked widespread outrage in news media and on social media. Fisheries and Livestock Ministry Adviser Farida Akhtar called for action, she added.
She also said the inhumane act harmed the country’s image and that those involved in animal killings will not be spared.
Ishwardi Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Moniruzzaman said Nishi’s husband had already been instructed to vacate the gazetted quarters over the incident. The family moved out on Tuesday afternoon.
Locals said a mother dog named Tom had long taken shelter in 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 pups. Upazila parishad employees later learned that Nishi had tied the puppies in a sack and dumped them in the parishad pond on Sunday night. Their bodies were recovered on Monday morning and buried beside the UNO residence later that day.
