Two fined Tk 20,000 for beating pet dogs to death in Patuakhali

A court has fined two individuals Tk 20,000 in a case filed over the killing of two pet dogs by tying them with ropes and beating them to death in Patuakhali. In default of payment, each will have to serve 15 days of simple imprisonment.

Patuakhali Senior Judicial Magistrate First Court Judge Md Abu Bakar delivered the verdict on Thursday, August 6.

According to court and case documents, on July 23, around 11:30am, two pet dogs were tied to a bamboo with rope and beaten to death with wooden sticks and rods in the South Badura Khejuratala Stand area of Auliapur Union in Patuakhali Sadar upazila.

A video of the incident went viral on social media, sparking widespread criticism. Later, the matter came to the attention of the Patuakhali Sadar upazila livestock officer.

Subsequently, Sadar upazila livestock officer Dr Md Atiur Rahman filed a case under Section 7(2) of the Animal Welfare Act, 2019 and Section 428 of the Penal Code. Manju Hawlader, 50, and Zahir Hawlader, 45, of South Badura village were made the accused.

Advocate Md Imran, lawyer for the plaintiff, said the court imposed the maximum punishment prescribed under the Animal Welfare Act for this offence. In the verdict, each of the two accused was fined Tk 10,000, totaling Tk 20,000. In default of payment, each will have to serve 15 days of simple imprisonment.

He further said the court's verdict in the case of cruelty to animals will raise awareness in society and play an important role in preventing such crimes in the future.