A comforting day for canines

The stray dogs at Chattogram's Sadarghat area had a different kind of day yesterday.

Dewormed, vaccinated, fed, and even dressed up, it almost felt like their pampering had no end.

All thanks to a few kind-hearted individuals. The initiative was spearheaded by Dr Ferdoushe Akter Dipti, a thana livestock officer at Doublemooring.

"Every day on my way to work, I see the dogs, distressed and neglected. Even in the coldest mornings, they're out wandering around for food, trembling from the cold. On top of this, some people attack them for nothing," she told this correspondent.

Dr Ferdoushe intervened out of empathy.

"Initially, the plan was to just vaccinate them, so that locals aren't afraid of them."

Informed of the plans, her office -- the Thana Livestock Office at Doublemooring -- agreed to provide logistical support. Still, it was near impossible for Dr Ferdoushe alone to go to the area with the vaccines, gather the dogs and inject them, especially since dogs are not too comfortable around strangers.

This is where Pranider Jonyo Ahar (Prahar), a local animal welfare organisation, stepped in.

"I decided to contact Prahar for their familiarity with stray dogs of the area," Dr Ferdoushe said.

Afterwards, the team finalised the plan. In addition to vaccinating around 20 stray dogs, they also put collars or binders on them.

Following this, the dogs were dewormed, fed with a special lunch prepared by Dr Ferdoushe, and dressed up to help fend off the biting cold.

"I feel for animals because they cannot raise their voice to press home their rights, unlike human beings," Dr Ferdoushe said.

Driven by her love for animals from childhood, Dr Ferdoushe pursued veterinary medicine at Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. She began working as a livestock officer after passing the 33rd BCS examination in 2014.