Six Months’ Jail for Killing Pet Cat

A court in the Bangladeshi capital has sentenced a man to six months’ imprisonment for brutally killing a neighbour’s pet cat in the Mohammadpur area of Dhaka, in a case that has drawn attention to animal cruelty and the enforcement of animal welfare laws in the country.

The verdict was delivered on Wednesday (11 March) by Metropolitan Magistrate Al Biruni Mir of the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court. The convicted individual, Akbar Hossain Shiblu, was also fined BDT 10,000. In default of payment, he will have to serve an additional one month of simple imprisonment.

According to Advocate Zakir Hossain, counsel for the complainant, the accused was not present in court at the time of the verdict. As a result, the court issued both a conviction warrant and an arrest warrant to ensure that the sentence is enforced.

Background of the Case

The case originated from an incident that occurred on 1 February last year at the Muktijoddha Tower residential building in Mohammadpur. Mansur, a resident of the building, reported that his pet cat had gone missing from the ninth floor of the premises around midday.

Subsequent examination of the building’s CCTV footage revealed disturbing images. The footage allegedly showed Akbar Hossain Shiblu kicking the cat violently “like a football”. Even after the animal fell motionless due to the impact, he reportedly pressed down on it with his foot to ensure its death.

A witness who observed the incident informed the complainant, and the footage was later used as key evidence in the legal proceedings. Based on these materials and witness testimony, the court concluded that the accused had intentionally and cruelly killed the animal.

Legal Proceedings

The legal complaint was formally filed on 5 February last year by Nafisa Nowrin Chowdhury on behalf of the animal rights organisation People for Animal Welfare. The Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court recorded the complainant’s statement on the same day and instructed Mohammadpur Police Station to investigate the allegations and submit a report.

Following its investigation, the police concluded that the accusations against the suspect were substantiated. A formal report was submitted to the court, leading to the filing of charges on 14 July and the commencement of trial proceedings.

The court heard testimony from four witnesses during the trial. The evidentiary stage concluded on 2 December. After hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defence on 3 February, the court initially scheduled the verdict for 17 February but later deferred it to 11 March.

Key Timeline of the Case

Wider Implications

Animal welfare advocates say the ruling highlights the growing role of the judicial system in addressing cruelty towards animals in Bangladesh. Although such cases rarely result in convictions, campaigners argue that stronger enforcement of existing laws and public awareness are gradually improving protections for animals.

Legal experts also note that the use of CCTV footage as decisive evidence played a crucial role in establishing the facts of the case, demonstrating how surveillance technology is increasingly influencing criminal proceedings in urban areas.

The arrest warrant issued by the court means law enforcement authorities must now locate the convicted individual so that the sentence can be carried out. Animal welfare groups have welcomed the judgment, describing it as an important step towards accountability for acts of cruelty against animals.