HC issues rule against removal of community dogs
In a major win for animal rights activists, the High Court on Sunday issued a rule asking why the ongoing removal, relocation, and transfer of community dogs should not be declared unlawful.
A bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar issued the Rule Nisi and also directed the formation of a high-level expert committee to facilitate the implementation of Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (CNVR) and Mass Dog Vaccination (MDV) programmes.
The move came after animal rights activists a day earlier held a human chain in front of the Raju Memorial Sculpture at the University of Dhaka, protesting calls for the killing of street dogs and demanding the proper implementation of the Animal Welfare Act 2019.
Approximately 150 to 200 participants, including animal welfare advocates, teachers, students, journalists, cultural personalities, film professionals, and concerned citizens, joined the programme.
Following the demonstrations, Deepanwita Hridi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ALB Animal Shelter, filed a petition challenging the ongoing removal, relocation, and transfer of ownerless community dogs from public spaces within the jurisdiction of Dhaka South City Corporation.
In the Rule, the court asked the respondents to explain why such actions, conducted in contravention of the Local Government Division's circular dated 15 December 2025 and Sections 7(1) and 14 of the Animal Welfare Act 2019, should not be declared unlawful, without legal authority, and of no legal effect.
It also issued an interim order directing the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Local Government Division, the Department of Livestock Services, and the Directorate General of Health Services to constitute a high-level expert committee within 60 days.
The committee has been tasked with assessing the feasibility of and commencing MDV and CNVR programmes within the jurisdiction of Dhaka South City Corporation and submitting regular progress reports to the Court.
The petitioner was represented before the court by Supreme Court Advocate Md Towfiqul Islam Khan.
In a statement on the development, Deepanwita Hridi, said, "This is not only a significant achievement for the animal welfare movement, but also for the rule of law, public health, and humanitarian values. The court's order clearly demonstrates that the acceptable solution for community dog management is not killing, but vaccination, sterilisation, and humane management practices.”
Hridi said although the present case concerned Dhaka South City Corporation, CNVR and MDV programmes were necessary not only for DSCC but for the whole of Bangladesh and should be implemented nationwide.
Nilufa Yasmin Tumpa, director of Grit Foundation, said, "The demands we raised during yesterday's human chain have been further reinforced by today's court order. We hope the relevant authorities will take prompt and effective steps to implement CNVR and Mass Dog Vaccination programmes."