Street Innocence

I almost hit a dog the other day while I was riding on the streets of Kathmandu, I might sound like a horrible person for saying this, but it is true. Hear me out though: the dog was merely, innocently crossing the street, at a fast pace I might add, and I happened to be riding by. Fortunately, nothing happened. But how many accidents do you suppose took place because others did not happen to be so fortunate?

The streets of Kathmandu are full of loitering dogs; this is no big surprise for us. Some may have lost their way, some were abandoned, some the results of one on one action between street dogs: but they are there, nonetheless. I would be lying if I say I have not given a thought or two about these dogs. Some days, I feel sympathy for them and wish something could be done. Other days, when I am being chased on my scooter randomly on the streets on my way to college, I really wish something could be done.

But when I say something could be done; of course I do not mean the worst circumstances for them. There are many instances where we have seen bodies of those innocent creatures lying helplessly on the road; instances where we have been obliged to turn our eyes the other way. And perhaps because, the law for hit and run cases for animals is not so strict in our country, we happen to be in such instances.

What would you say is a solution for this? Yes, there are dog shelters and organizations that come around for their treatment fortunately. But it will take time, given the large amount of street dogs. For now, let us be compassionate. Drive safe, so that at least we do not hit those poor animals even if we cannot do anything regarding their wellbeing.

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