The High Court yesterday issued an order to stop animal-fighting competitions in Sunamganj and asked the government to explain why such competitions would not be banned in the country.
The High Court bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Jahangir Hossain passed the order in response to a writ petition filed by Obhoyaronno-Bangladesh Animal Welfare Society.
The court banned bull-fighting, cock-fighting, goat-fighting and dog-culling at Chhatak in Sunamganj for the next eight weeks. It also issued a ruling asking why the court shall not order a stop to bull-fighting, cock-fighting, goat-fighting and dog-culling across the country.
The respondents, including the law secretary, home secretary, IGP, deputy commissioner of Dhaka, Sunamganj police super and two blood sport organisers were asked to reply within three weeks.
Nadia Chowdhury, who filed the petition, termed such competitions cruel, arguing that these certainly violate Sections 7 and 11 of the Cruelty to Animals Act 1920 as well as Sections 268 and 289 of the Penal Code 1860.