Over a hundred animal lovers gathered in front of Ramna Park in Dhaka on Saturday, protesting the recent Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) move of relocating dogs.
A human chain at the base of the park’s footpath arranged by Obhoyaronno - Bangladesh Animal Welfare Foundation named the protest program Dhaka Youth Against Dog Relocation by DSCC.
Animal rights activists sang the national anthem together as part of expressing deep love and solidarity with the animals which were picked up by DSCC as being illegal.
Addressing the protest, Rakibul Haq Emil, founder and chairman of People for Animal Welfare (PAW) demanded not to be inhumane towards the stray dogs and to bring the already relocated dogs back to their previous places.
He also suggested that the DSCC take decisions regarding street animals only after discussions with animal welfare groups, stakeholders, and experts.
Rubaiya Ahmad, founder of Obhoyaronno, could not attend the program being ill.
She however stated in a Facebook live video: “The DSCC public relations officer (PRO) claimed that they relocated stray dogs only between September 13 and 18. He also claimed the dogs were not picked up before or after that timeframe.”
Rejecting the DSCC PRO’s claims she added: “The reality is, they picked up the dogs previously and the drive is still going on, including in the Ramna Park and Azimpur Colony areas.”
She said animal rights activists wanted a clear message from the city corporation authority and demanded a stop to the dog relocation program and dog culling.
Food for Street Animals Founder Orpita Khan Mohua, Co-founder of Animal Welfare Club of Dhaka University, Tauhid Tanjim, and Animal Lovers of Bangladesh (ALB), Animal Shelter members, and several other activists attended the protest.
Recently, a DSCC decision to relocate stray dogs drew widespread criticism on social media outlets and from animal lovers on the streets.
DSCC claimed the authorities picked up street dogs from around Dhanmondi Lake, Ramna Park, and Dhaka University’s TSC area after tranquilization and relocated those animals to Matuail landfill on the “mayor’s call.”
Supporting the DSCC initiative, a group of Dhanmondi residents also held a counter protest rally at road no. 3/A, urging DSCC Mayor Fazle Nur Taposh to remove the stray dogs from their area.
