Activists step up for stray animals in Ctg
A group of citizens in Chattogram have come forward to he aid of stray animals, who have been scrounging for food in the deserted streets of the city.
Usha Acharjee, an apprentice lawyer, was seen distributing food among a number of street dogs in port city's New Market area on Wednesday.
"Street animals would usually find food in dustbins and in the areas around restaurants and tea stalls," Usha said, "As the country has been under a shutdown, restaurants and tea stalls are closed and survival has become difficult for them."
Besides, many people who used to feed stray animals have now stopped, as they fear of coronavirus contamination from animals, she added.
However, there is no conclusive evidence that the virus can spread from dogs, cats and birds. "Humans can speak and ask for food but these innocent animals cannot express their suffering. We should help them during this situation," said Usha.
She said she cooked food for 50 animals every day for a week and distributed it in Pathoghata, Kotwali, Firingibazar, Sadarghat, New Market and Station Road.
"I not only distribute food among strays on the street but also throw food in the roof of houses and buildings so that birds have something to eat," she said.
Like Usha, many animal lovers have extended helping hands to stray dogs in the port city.
Animal Care of Chattogram is one such voluntary organisation. With 65 active members, the organisation started its journey in 2015. They have been feeding dogs in the city.
"Stray animals have been suffering as they cannot find food in the present situation," said Sumi Biswas, co-founder of the organisation.
"Survival of dogs, cats and crows are important as they act as 'natural cleaners' for the city," she added.
Sumi said there are around 2,000 stray dogs in different areas in the city, while they did not know the number of cats.
"We cannot feed them all but we try to feed as many as possible," she said.
Iyana Haque, another co-founder of the organisation, said they have a shelter for animals in Halishahar area. "We provide them treatment in the centre," she said.
"We distributed food among animals in Patenga, EPZ, Agrabad, Halishahar, Nasirabad, Khulshi, Jhautola and Panshlaish," she said. "We've also distributed food in different private university campuses."
"We will go to Chittagong University in a day to two to look after the stray animals on the campus," she said, adding, "We do not know how they are doing after the university was closed."
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