A review of animal welfare developments in Bangladesh

Abstract

In developing countries, grasping the importance of animal welfare is still gradually emerging. In Bangladesh, animal welfare was first
introduced to veterinary professionals at an International Scientific Conference of the Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU) in 2006. The aims were to develop educational and research expertise and to improve awareness of animal welfare in academia, research and policy. This led CVASU to launch animal welfare in its mission statement along with inclusion of an animal welfare course in the curriculum. Students were encouraged to become animal welfare ambassadors promoting ethical veterinary practices. Other veterinary schools in Bangladesh came forward to initiate similar course. Bangladesh's legal system had a ―Cruelty to Animal Act, 1920‖, which had been barely functional. Fortunately, ―The Animal Welfare Act, 2019‖ has managed to modernize the previous law. The first collaborative animal welfare research and exchange program (2008) between CVASU and the Royal Veterinary College, UK focused on the welfare of food animals transported across borders. The goals aimed to
enhance awareness and create research skills rationale on animal welfare in Bangladesh. Subsequent projects have also initiated later on to focus on on-farm welfare assessments of dairy animals and meat birds, mammalian slaughterhouses, meat birds during transport and at live markets, and welfare assessments of backyard goats. An applied project on the management of the free-roaming dog at CVASU and the surrounding area focused on neutering and mass vaccination against rabies. In summary, after only one decade of introduction, Bangladesh is trying to match the animal welfare with the developed nationsin terms of exerting due importance in Animal welfare.