Rabid dog fell into pond, not deliberately fed to crocodile: probe report

Investigation dismisses claims that dog was used as bait at Khan Jahan Ali shrine pond

A dog killed by a crocodile in a pond at the shrine of Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali in Bagerhat was suffering from rabies and was not deliberately fed to the animal, an investigation has found.

The three-member probe committee formed by the district administration submitted its report to the deputy commissioner’s office on Thursday.

The committee chief, Bagerhat Sadar Upazila administrator Atiya Khatun, said the findings were based on site visits, data collection and an investigation by the Department of Livestock Services.

“We did not find any evidence that the dog was intentionally thrown to the crocodile or used as bait. The dog fell into the pond accidentally. It was also infected with rabies,” she said.

The incident occurred on Apr 8, when a crocodile dragged the dog underwater from the main ghat of the shrine pond.

A video of the incident later went viral on social media, triggering widespread criticism and allegations.

Following the incident, the dog underwent a post-mortem examination on Apr 11 under the supervision of the district livestock department.

Samples were sent to the Central Disease Investigation Laboratory (CDIL) in Dhaka for testing, and the report was received on Wednesday.

Atiya said the dog had bitten several people on the day of the incident.

“A shrine security guard named Forqan has taken vaccination, and we have collected proof from the hospital,” she said.

“Allegations circulating on social media and among animal lovers that the dog was deliberately fed to the crocodile were not substantiated.”

District Livestock Officer Mohammad Saheb Ali said the CDIL report confirmed that the dog had rabies.

Those bitten by the dog remain at risk of infection if not vaccinated, he said, adding that the affected individuals have received vaccines.

Asked whether the crocodile faced any risk after attacking a rabid animal, he said: “There is no risk of infection for the crocodile. It is a predatory animal, and there is no likelihood of it contracting rabies.”

Bagerhat administrator Golam Md Baten said the probe was initiated following complaints from animal lovers over the incident.

“The committee has submitted its report. It states that the dog was infected with rabies and there is no evidence it was deliberately fed to the crocodile,” he said.