Animal welfare activists on Saturday staged a sit-in protest outside the main gate of Japan Garden City (JGC) in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, condemning the poisoning of several stray dogs and cats within the gated community.
The tragic incident came to light on Friday evening when the poisoned animals were discovered.
Activists said that ten dogs and one cat were killed.
Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed, an actor and activist, filed a formal complaint with Adabor police station, reporting the recovery of the carcasses of four dogs and a cat. The letter also alleged that other carcasses had been hidden to obscure the extent of the poisoning.
In the letter, it was charged that Shahnur Bhuiyan, secretary of the JGC Flat Owners Association, and other association members orchestrated the poisoning.
Despite multiple attempts, Dhaka Tribune was unable to reach Shahnur Bhuiyan for comment.
On Friday evening, banners bearing inflammatory messages appeared in various locations inside JGC. The banners, attributed to a group called "JGC Life Safety," included statements such as: “Cull the stray dogs, stop the NGO business”, “To keep JGC clean, send dog leftovers, feces, and urine to dog lovers’ households”, “Send all the stray dogs to dog lovers’ households”.
Dhaka Tribune could not identify who posted the banners and any members of JGC life safety.
Rubaiya Ahmad, founder of the animal welfare organization Obhoyaronno, accused the JGC authorities of committing a criminal act.
“We have pictorial evidence, and the secretary has admitted involvement. We have concrete proof that the authorities carried out this poisoning,” she told Dhaka Tribune.
“This is not the first time JGC has attempted to cull stray dogs,” Rubaiya said, adding that such actions have been going on for years despite efforts to vaccinate and sterilize the dogs.
She also said that 90% of the dogs culled in Dhaka City were in Rampura and JGC.
She emphasized the importance of coexistence, saying: “Dogs are community animals. They deserve protection, not cruelty.”
“This is a criminal offence, and we will ensure those responsible are brought to justice. We won’t let this slide,” she vowed, revealing that her organization is preparing a legal case against those involved.
Meanwhile, Mahfuz Imtiaz Buhiyan, Officer in Charge of Adabor Police Station, told Dhaka Tribune: “As the police do not cover this law, we asked them (the activists) to file a case in court tomorrow (Sunday).”
Rakibul Haque Amil, another animal rights activist, highlighted the necessity of sterilization and vaccination for maintaining harmony between humans and stray animals.
“Unexpected incidents may occur, but cruelty is never the answer. The authorities could have contacted the city corporation or animal welfare organizations for help,” he said.
Amil recalled that during Ramadan in 2020, the JGC authorities allegedly attempted to drive out stray dogs by beating them. Activists intervened, and the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) later sterilized 10-12 dogs in 2021 or 2022.
A JGC resident, Tanisha Huq, alleged that the authorities have instructed security guards to beat stray dogs. “They seem to think that the laws outside JGC do not apply within its walls,” she said.
However, a security guard named Bodrul denied receiving any such instructions.
The Animal Welfare Act of 2019 prohibits the culling or relocation of stray animals in Bangladesh.
Violators face penalties of up to six months in prison, a fine of Tk10,000, or both. The law also holds governing body members of responsible organizations accountable for such actions.
