Dogs pampered in Nepal as part of Hindu festival

Dogs in Nepal were decorated with marigold garlands and beautiful vermilion paint on Sunday to cherish a day connected to them as part of a Hindu festival. Kukur Tihar, the second day of the five-day Tihar festival, is kept for worshipping dogs as agents of Yamaraj, the god of death, and for praising their honesty and friendship to humans. Businessman Sujit Dongol, who celebrated the festival at home, revealed to AFP that his dog was part of the family. “He is a good friend to all and is always cheerful and playful like a child,” he said, holding his one-year-old American Bully in his arms.

“We are extremely joyful worshipping a dog that stays with us.” Dog lovers also provide treats and toys to their pets and street dogs during the celebration. The Armed Police Force held a special ritual to honour and worships their canine force, which is often utilised during natural disasters and in the detection of explosives and drugs. “It is an extraordinary day,” said Animal Health and Dog Handler section chief Ramesh Pokharel of the Armed Police Force.

“Our dogs have supported us a lot, so the safety personnel feel elated and blessed to celebrate this.” Inspired by Nepal’s festival, a similar yearly celebration began in Mexico in 2016. But animal welfare groups say the extraordinary treatment should not be limited to a single day, and inhumane treatment towards street dogs, like poisoning them to cull the population or to prevent rabies, must not be practiced.