Probe committee formed over 'feeding' dog to Bagerhat shrine crocodile

The Bagerhat district administration has formed a three-member team to investigate the incident of a dog being cast into a pond at the Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali shrine where it was seized and killed by a crocodile as onlookers watched. 

However, Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam Md Baten said preliminary verification did not support claims that dogs were being intentionally fed to crocodiles.

The probe committee, led by the Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), will include the Upazila Livestock Officer and the officer-in-charge of Bagerhat Sadar Model Police Station.

Authorities said further action will be taken based on the findings of the probe, which comes after videos of the incident circulated on social media, sparking widespread criticism.

Speaking on the issue, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku said the incident in Bagerhat had deeply saddened him.

He added that he was not only distressed in his capacity as a state minister of the relevant ministry, but also as a human being, according to a ministry press release.

Tuku said that the prime minister is committed to building Bangladesh as a safe sanctuary for both people and all living beings.

Directing the relevant administration, he said a thorough investigation must be carried out to ensure that those responsible for this inhumane act are brought to justice.

He also instructed authorities to take all necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future.

The shrine's chief khadem, Fakir Tarikul Islam, said the incident was being misrepresented on social media.

"I call on everyone to spread accurate information," he said.

He urged people to maintain the sanctity of the shrine.

However, shrine security guard Md Forkan Hawlader has made the same claim, saying the event was accidental. 

Forkan said he was on duty at the ghat ensuring visitors' safety when a stray dog suddenly approached and scratched his leg. 

"In self-defence, I shook my leg, and the dog fell into the pond. Immediately, a crocodile in the water grabbed it and dragged it under," he added.

Forkan claimed he was injured in the incident and later received treatment and vaccinations at Bagerhat Sadar Hospital. 

He further added that the dog's body resurfaced about half an hour later and was subsequently recovered and buried.

Eyewitnesses in the area also provided accounts supporting the claim that the dog had been behaving aggressively before the incident.

A local shopkeeper, Bina Akter, said the dog had attacked several people earlier and had even bitten a child.

Visitors from different areas, including one from Madaripur, expressed concern over the incident.