High Court Issues Rule Against Removal of Community Dogs, Orders Implementation of CNVR and Mass Dog Vaccination Programmes

Significant Court Order Comes One Day After a Successful and Spontaneous Human Chain by Animal Welfare Advocates in the Capital

The High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, comprising Mr. Justice Ahmed Sohel and Ms. Justice Fatema Anwar, today (21 June 2026) issued a Rule Nisi and 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, following the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation challenging the ongoing removal and relocation of community dogs.

Notably, just one day earlier, on 20 June 2026, a successful and spontaneous human chain was held 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. The participants called for the strengthening of CNVR initiatives, expansion of rabies vaccination programmes, and an end to the killing of community dogs.

The Public Interest Litigation, Writ Petition No. 6699 of 2026, was filed by Deepanwita Hridi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ALB Animal Shelter. The petition challenged 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 the ongoing removal, relocation, and transfer of community dogs, 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.

The Court 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 Mass Dog Vaccination (MDV) and Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (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 Barrister Md. Towfiqul Islam Khan, Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.

Speaking on the development, Deepanwita Hridi, Founder and CEO of ALB Animal Shelter, 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, sterilization, and humane management practices. Although the present case concerns Dhaka South City Corporation, CNVR and Mass Dog Vaccination programmes are 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.”

According to the organizers, this Court order represents an important milestone for animal welfare, public health, and the promotion of safe coexistence between humans and community animals in Bangladesh.
-PRESS RELEASE