Animal abuse outrages citizens: Grameenphone condemns incident allegedly involving employee

Grameenphone today (13 May) condemned an animal abuse incident allegedly involving one of their employees and his wife in their home in the capital's Bashundhara. 

The two had allegedly instructed a domestic worker to beat a five-month-old kitten that had strayed into their house through an open door.  

In a statement sent to The Business Standard, Grameenphone said, "At Grameenphone, we believe in compassion and respect for all living beings. We have been informed about a recent incident involving one of our employees and a pet. We strongly condemn any abusive act against any living being. We are assessing this incident and will take necessary measures with utmost urgency."

Videos showing the aftermath of the incident had gone viral, with many netizens, including animal rights groups, reacting strongly to it. 

Earlier yesterday (12 May), a Facebook user wrote on a post in the Cat Society of Bangladesh Facebook group that she went in front of the Grameenphone officials' flat after hearing a cat's cries and saw the maid of the house beating her five-month-old pet with a rod. 

She then rushed into the house and confronted the residents.

She also claimed that the maid was instructed to beat the cat by one of the homeowners, who works for Aristopharma.

A CCTV footage attached to the post shows the woman crying and running back to her house from upstairs as the cat on her lap cries out, alongside others showing her confronting the flat dwellers. 

Animal welfare group Obhoyaronno, on its Facebook page, urged Grameenphone and Aristopharma to set a strong example by taking appropriate actions against the individuals involved.

"Let this mark a new and impactful form of Corporate Social Responsibility—one that not only addresses human rights but also extends compassion and accountability towards animals.

"Grameenphone stands as the first — and currently the only — corporation in Bangladesh actively advocating for animal welfare. This incident has reached the highest levels of the organisation, and we are encouraged by the seriousness with which it is being addressed," reads the Obhoyaronno post. 

Aristopharma, in a response posted on its Facebook page, said they were aware of the allegations made against its employee and is taking action in this regard.

"Aristopharma always maintains the highest ethical standards and is committed to the humane treatment of all living beings. We are aware of the allegations made against one of our employees regarding the injury to a pet, and we believe that intolerant behaviour towards any animal is reprehensible. We are taking the matter seriously and are committed to taking appropriate action," the post reads.