Animal cruelty video sparks criticism on social media
"A dog is fighting a fox, watch here quickly" -- said a Facebook post by one Md Monayem Khondokar on May 7.
The video clip showed torture of a fox tangled up in a net, being attacked by dogs.
In the comments, one Md Masum said the fox was caught in a net in front of his house, adding, "The dog killed it slowly". According to his Facebook, he is an assistant teacher at a high school in Kishoreganj.
The post was deleted amid heavy criticism.
The incident took place at Charigram village in Kishoreganj's Mithamoin.
Animal rights activist Rakibul Haq Emil said, "This is very unfortunate. The video shows cruelty on a vulnerable animal and people are entertained by it. This was a clear violation of the law."
Besides, as they posted violent content on Facebook, it is also a violation of Digital Security Act-2018. The above incident violates section-6 under Animal Welfare Act-2019, which can result in up to six months of non-rigorous imprisonment or a fine of Tk 10,000, Emil told this newspaper.
Contacted, Wildlife Crime Control Unit Director ASM Jahir Uddin Akan said, "If the fox was killed, this will violate the Wildlife Conservation and Security Act-2012."
Asked if they would take any step, he said, "During this pandemic, it's impossible to move instantly. We're looking into it."
Contacted, Md Masum said, "Foxes attack poultry so villagers are weary of them. Some youth set up a trap beside my house and caught the fox and set a dog on it."
"Locals had asked people to let the fox go when the dog attacked it, but someone recorded and posted the video," he added.
This correspondent attempted to contact Monayem -- on whose profile the video was posted -- but his phone was switched off.
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