The instances of animal abuse reported at two halls of Dhaka University, with four kittens found with their throats slit and another cat found dead, are certainly disturbing, but they are emblematic of the incredibly lax attitude the state has against such barbaric behaviour.
While the Animal Welfare Bill 2019 was passed with significantly stricter penalties compared to the previous law, Cruelty to Animals Act 1920, the law is barely, if ever, enforced to any meaningful degree.
According to the new law, stray animals not owned by any individual must be treated with compassion, while the law also prohibits the unnecessary killing of an animal by euthanasia or keeping an animal captive for 24 hours -- anyone found violating provisions of the new law will be jailed for six months or fined Tk10,000, or both.
We have all the necessary laws in place, so why is animal cruelty still so rampant in Bangladesh?
It all comes down to enforcement, of course, but laws alone can only deter people from behaving barbarically to a certain point. It is unfortunate that we do not have the best track record when it comes to treating animals with kindness, with examples of wanton cruelty often making the news.
But such cruelty is further enabled when the state and government officials themselves exhibit a negative attitude towards helpless animals. Three years ago, we saw the culling of some 200 dogs in St Martin's Island, a directive that was reportedly ordered by the local union parishad, while the Dhaka South City Corporation has abundantly made it clear that it does not care for stray animals.
This is an entirely behavioural issue, and the only way to fix it is by spreading awareness.
For Bangladesh to be considered a truly developed nation, we need to start acting with some sense of civility. A good place to start, then, would be to show kindness to our helpless four-legged friends.