Cox’s Bazar municipality culling dogs
Cox’s Bazar municipality authorities launched a drive to cull dogs on Wednesday, in violation of a High Court injunction.
Since Wednesday night, conservancy unit of Cox’s Bazar killed at least 45 dogs at various points of the municipality, admitted Khurshed Alam, administrative officer of Cox’s Bazar municipality. He said they launched the drive, as stray dogs are “a nuisance to public and tourists”.
Asked if it was done based on any specific complaint, he said, “No. All those killed were stray dogs. We have been doing this regularly,” he said, adding that he was not aware of any legal restriction against it.
Mojibur Rahman, mayor of Cox’s Bazar municipality, did not receive phone calls requesting a comment.
Trisha Bhattacharya, founder of Chattogram-based animal welfare group Society of Rise for Paws and Claws, said, “They did this last year as well. Because they did not face any consequence, they are culling dogs again.”
Over 250 dogs in Cox’s Bazar were vaccinated in April, in an effort by several animal rights groups.
The HC in 2014 issued an order, banning dog culling. The government earlier this year also passed the Animal Welfare Act-2019, which prohibits killing of ownerless animals, violation of which can warrant Tk 10,000 fine or six months in jail.
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