Human Chain June 20 Against Demand for Culing Stray Dogs

A stray dog.

​In light of the Animal Welfare Act, 2019, directives from the High Court, and scientifically recognized public health guidelines, a human chain program will be held on June 20 (Saturday) at 3:00 PM in front of the Raju Sculpture at Dhaka University to protest against demands for culling stray dogs.

​According to the organizers, animal welfare activists, volunteers, civil society representatives, veterinary professionals, and conscious citizens will participate in this program to advocate for humane, lawful, and scientific solutions for stray dog management.

​The organizers stated that an organization named "Nirapod Shohor Andolon" has recently been submitting memoranda, issuing press releases, and running campaigns demanding the culling of stray dogs.

​In the view of the organizers, such demands directly contradict the Animal Welfare Act, the directives of the High Court, and internationally recognized public health guidelines. They believe that by creating fear and panic among the public, a complex public health issue involving community animals is being presented in a one-sided manner, completely ignoring effective solutions like vaccination and sterilization.

​The organizers pointed out that according to Section 6 and Sections 7(1) & 7(2) of the Animal Welfare Act, 2019, causing unnecessary pain, killing, or subjecting any animal to cruelty is a punishable offense. They stated that the officially approved and internationally recognized method for managing stray dogs in Bangladesh is CNVR (Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release). According to the organizers, indiscriminate culling or relocation of dogs is neither lawful nor a sustainable, long-term solution.

​The organizers further mentioned that following a writ petition in 2014, the High Court directed the cessation of stray dog culling activities. Therefore, demanding or initiating dog culling in violation of the law and court directives is entirely unacceptable.

​The organizers of the human chain claimed that the mortality rate from rabies in the country has decreased significantly over the past decade, which is a direct result of long-term vaccination and sterilization programs conducted by the government, veterinary experts, animal welfare organizations, and volunteers. According to them, this proves that vaccination and sterilization remain the most effective, scientific, and humane solutions for rabies control and stray dog management.

​They added that animal lovers and volunteers in various areas of the capital have been independently feeding, treating, vaccinating, and sterilizing stray dogs. As a result, the majority of these community dogs are accustomed to coexisting peacefully with humans and are gentle in nature. Presenting all stray animals as a threat based on a few isolated incidents does not reflect reality.

​The organizers also noted that the demands made by certain quarters to impose legal liability on animal welfare workers or animal lovers are legally groundless. At the same time, they emphasized that Islamic teachings heavily stress kindness, empathy, and proper treatment toward animals, and do not support the indiscriminate culling of any living creature.

​It is worth noting here that a certain quarter on social media is intentionally spreading false and misleading news, alongside propaganda in favor of dog culling. They are even using conflict-ridden videos and photos from other countries, claiming them to be incidents in Bangladesh, to create artificial panic among the public. Concurrently, animal welfare workers and general animal lovers are being subjected to continuous derogatory comments, abusive language, and systematic harassment on social media platforms, which is highly alarming. The organizers strongly urge the administration to take immediate action to halt such cyberbullying and malicious propaganda.

​The following demands will be raised from the human chain:

​Strict implementation of the Animal Welfare Act, 2019, and the directives of the High Court.

​Outright rejection of any initiatives involving the culling or illegal relocation of stray dogs.

​Revitalizing and scaling up CNVR (Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release) programs nationwide.

​Expanding mass vaccination programs to prevent rabies and ensuring the allocation of necessary budgets.

​Taking a responsible stance against misleading campaigns that incite public panic and hatred.

​The organizers express hope that the government, media, and relevant institutions will play a responsible role by prioritizing the law, humanity, scientific realities, and public health interests to ensure a safe coexistence between humans and community animals.

​Contact:

​Dipanwita Ridi

Founder & Chairman

ALB Animal Shelter (Animal Lovers of Bangladesh)

​Nilufar Yasmin Tumpa

Director

Greet Foundation