KATHMANDU, Sept 5: Hundreds of people gathered at Maitighar Mandala in the capital on Wednesday to protest against violence and cruelty inflicted on animals.
The protest was organized jointly by various groups working for animal rights, including Sneha's Care, Animal Nepal, Nepal Animal Welfare and Research Centre (NAWRC), SPCA Nepal and Kathmandu Animal Treatment (KAT) Centre. The protesters demanded an end to violence and cruelty against animals and punishment for those inflicting such cruelty.
The joint protest comes after a video clip showing a municipal official in Khotang district putting stray dogs to death in brutal fashion going viral on social media. Reports speak of the mass killing of street dogs in Diktel Bazar, district headquarters of Khotang on August 31.
These beauty brands are still tested on animals
Some street dogs were poisoned and others bludgeoned to death as part of a Street Dog Control Program.
The animal rights activists gathered at Maitighar Mandala also expressed concern over the death of 24 stray cows. Another 150 strays were also abandoned in a forest in Katkuwa, Surkhet district on August 21.
The protesters were from all age groups and most held placards with snippets and quotations advocating the rights of animals. Some even carried a picture of Dip Narayan Rijal, mayor of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality, demanding action against him for animal cruelty.
A graphic video posted by Bajindra Bista on his Facebook showed several dogs being killed and thrown into a truck. The poor creatures were mercilessly clubbed as if they never mattered. The video quickly went viral on various social media platforms.
“I don't happen to be an animal lover as such but my eyes were filled with tears when I saw the video of the poor dogs being beaten to death . I heard about the protest this morning and immediately decided to join,” said Pranaya Shrestha, 41, one of those at the Maitighar Mandala protest.
