Despite amending a century-old law to toughen punishment for animal cruelty, there has been no end to the heinous act.
A recent video has been making the rounds on social media showing a dog being beaten to death in the capital’s Shewrapara on July 29.
This has stirred criticism from netizens on different social media platforms and groups.
Bangladesh Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Volunteer Shahrin Tamanna said, “We’re deeply shocked to see such a grave culling. This kind of killing of animals is taking place regularly.
“We’ll talk to local public representatives and administration in this regard. The process to identify the accused is underway,” she said.
Aiming to stop animal cruelty and punish the offenders, the Animal Welfare Act was enacted in 2019. It replaced the century-old Cruelty to Animals Act of 1920.
The law makes it illegal to inflict unnecessary pain, suffering or harm on any animal. This includes provisions for preventing animal fighting and abuse and animal experimentation regulations.
Anyone found violating provisions of the new law will be jailed for six months or fined Tk10,000, or both. Previously, the punishment was three months or a Tk1000 fine.
Animal rights activists say they are mocked often for taking legal measures against the violation of the law.
If the accused is influential, the complainants face troubles, they said, suggesting that the government support them in the fight for keeping animals safe.
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