Good Samaritans come to the aid of stray dogs

VISAKHAPATNAM: While the nation is on a lockdown, many citizens and NGOs are stepping forward to help feed not only the distressed public but also stray dogs.
For Pradeep Kumar Nath, founder of Visakha Society for Protection and Care of Animals (VSPCA)—which provides much-needed shelter and sustenance for animals and birds—it’s a daily affair feeding animals.
Stray animals, who survive on leftovers provided by restaurants and other people, have little food during such crises.“Keeping this in mind, we increased the number of dogs we feed and how often, during the lockdown. Apart from this, we anyway feed over 430 dogs at 16 feeding stations in Visakhapatnam. Everyday, from 5 am to 7.30 pm, my team helps cook food for the dogs and feed them,” said Nath.
Some have been waking up earlier during the lockdown so they can feed their furry friends as part of their morning walk. Nirmal Kumar feeds over 30 dogs everyday in Seethammadhara. In Pandurangapuram, Debasis Roy, a former geologist at ONGC, feeds nearly 100 dogs every day.
Nagamma, a vegetable vendor at Poorna market, said, “I believe that feeding dogs is the biggest charity. If each house or family can feed a stray animal every day, none of the dogs on the roads will go hungry.”
Several NGO representatives said dogs in residential areas are better off than the dogs in office areas“In residential areas, dogs are getting food from homes. But in office areas, there is no one to feed them,” said Sampath Kumar, a resident of Akkayapalem.