Police have arrested Nishi Rahman (38), accused in a case over the killing of eight puppies in Ishwardi, Pabna. Upazila Livestock Officer Aklima Khatun filed the case at Ishwardi Police Station at around 11:30 pm on Tuesday, after which police detained the accused the same night.
OC A S M Abdun Nur said the case was filed under Section 7 of the Animal Welfare Act 2019, naming Nishi Rahman, wife of Small Farmers Foundation officer Hasanur Rahman Noyon, as the sole accused. Additional Superintendent of Police Pronab Kumar said police launched an operation immediately after the case was filed and later arrested her from a house near Rahimpur Girls’ School in Ishwardi municipality. She will be produced before court on Wednesday.
Complainant Aklima Khatun stated that the incident drew heavy criticism, prompting Farida Akhtar, Adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, to call and ensure proper action. She noted that such inhumane actions tarnish the country’s image and that no leniency will be shown to those involved in animal cruelty.
According to UNO Md Moniruzzaman, following the incident, the accused woman’s husband, Hasanur Rahman Noyon, was served written instructions to vacate the gazetted quarter. They left the residence on Tuesday.
Locals said a mother dog named Tom had been living near the UNO’s residence for a long time. A week earlier she had given birth to eight puppies. The puppies were reportedly put into a sack and thrown into the pond on Sunday night. Their bodies were recovered on Monday morning and later buried beside the UNO’s residence.
TSN