Dog's head sample sent to CDIL after crocodile attack in Bagerhat

A dog died after being attacked by the only female crocodile in the pond adjacent to the shrine of Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali (RA) in Bagerhat, triggering widespread discussion and misinformation on social media. A sample from the dog's head has been sent to the Central Disease Investigation Laboratory (CDIL) in Dhaka for testing.

The incident took place on Wednesday afternoon, April 8. According to witnesses, an agitated dog was roaming the shrine premises and attacked several visitors and a child. As locals tried to chase it away with sticks, the dog ran towards the main ghat area.

The dog then scratched security guard Forkan Hawladar, who reacted by shaking his leg. The dog fell into the pond, and the crocodile immediately grabbed it and dragged it underwater. The dog's body resurfaced about half an hour later and was later buried.

A video of the incident spread rapidly on social media, with some users falsely claiming the dog's legs were tied and that it was deliberately thrown to the crocodile. Shrine authorities and eyewitnesses have strongly rejected these claims, stating the incident was accidental.

Shrine chief khadem Fakir Tarikul Islam said, "If you watch the original video, you can see the dog entering the water on its own and being unable to climb back out. No one threw it in." He added that shrine authorities have filed a general diary over the spread of misinformation.

The Bagerhat district administration formed a three-member investigation committee on Saturday, April 11, led by Sadar Upazila Executive Officer Atia Khatun, with the upazila livestock officer and Sadar Police Station OC as members.

The dog's body was exhumed on Saturday afternoon, and an autopsy was conducted under the supervision of the district livestock department. District Livestock Officer Mohammad Saheb Ali said the dog's head has been sent to CDIL in Dhaka to determine if it was suffering from rabies or any other illness.

Deputy Commissioner Golam Mohammad Baten said the investigation committee will submit a report soon. He also instructed shrine authorities to ensure no live animals are thrown into the pond for the crocodile, noting that such superstitious practices must stop.