Floating dogs are starving in this empty capital as a large number of city people have left Dhaka when the government declared ten-day holiday to beat the spread of coronavirus infection. City’s stray dogs live on the streets and they are heavily dependent on the foods offered by people. But currently except for any emergency nobody goes out of their residences.
Public, private offices, courts, markets, hotels, and restaurants are closed in the capital. Everyone has gone to a safe place to not get infected by the virus. As a result, the animals of the capital are suffering from severe food crisis. It was found yesterday while traveling around the city.
Animal right activist and volunteer of animal rescue team Tariqul Islam Tanim talking to Bangladesh Post said, “It is difficult for them to survive without food in this city. Human beings are facing crisis globally due to coronavirus.” Dhaka city is almost totally empty at the moment. We should offer some food at the dogs and cats so they can survive. We should not forget animals are also part of our environment, he added.
He also urged to extend kindness from the individual-level towards animals in this cruel period. It was observed in several areas of the capital, including the University of Dhaka, stray dogs and cats lying on the sidewalk. They are not getting food from anywhere. Hundreds of cats roam in the Dhaka University area. They consume foods from various halls. But with the closure of the halls, survival of dogs and cats has become difficult.
Yesterday, on arrival at Jagannath Hall area, this reporter was surrounded by three dogs when the vehicle stopped. The dogs looked at the reporter for food. It was understood that all three dogs were very hungry and they looked very weak. Not only Dhaka University campus, but this image is also now a reflection of everywhere in Dhaka. Most of the city dogs and cats used to survive by eating leftover food from shops, including hotel restaurants.
Environmental Activist, volunteer of Clean Bangladesh Mostafa Kamal said, "Animals help conserve our environment. They are part of our society. Therefore, saving their lives is now our responsibility.” The government should take initiative to save their lives, he added.