There are a lot of abandoned dogs in Nepal, but recently more attention has been paid to animal welfare. On Monday, the dogs got heaps of treats.
A special celebration was held in Nepal on Monday in honor of dogs. The celebration was part of a five-day Hindu event that began on Sunday.
In Hindu tradition, dogs are considered messengers of Yama, the god of death. Hindus in Nepal believe that dogs accompany and protect people on their final journey.
On Monday’s holiday, dogs’ loyalty to people was emphasized. At the dog shelter in Lalitpur, near the capital Kathmandu, the furry muzzles received orange wreaths around their necks. In addition, the dogs were spoiled with plenty of treats.
– On Dog Day, I want to convey the message that people should show compassion and love towards dogs – and feed them as much as we can, says the mayor of Lalitpur Chiri Babu Maharjan in an interview with news agency Reuters.
Many stray dogs live in Nepal. For example, it is estimated that there are 20,000 stray dogs in the valley surrounding the capital.
According to a representative of Kathmandu-based animal organization Sneha’s Care, owners easily abandon their pets if they get sick. However, more attention is paid to the well-being of dogs every day.