By Our Correspondent, Damak, June 22: Youths in Damak have initiated a campaign to feed stray dogs. Forming a group of dog-lovers called 'Love the dogs', a bunch of young people in the district has been feeding the stray dogs four days a week.

Prerana Darnal, a participant in the campaign, said, "We are trying to provide food to the dogs as they have been starving due to the ongoing prohibitory order to control the spread of the novel coronavirus."

She said that the dogs all across Damak were fed four days a week. "We provide rice and chicken three days and biscuits on one day alternatively," said Darnal, adding that over 60 stray dogs were being fed through their campaign.

"In the current crisis, there are thousands of people who help those who are having difficulties. However, no one had paid attention to the stray canines. After all, they also get hungry and thirsty just like humans," she added.

The feeding campaign, which began this week, has been collecting funds from various donors. Darnal said that over Rs. 18,000 had already been spent to feed the strays.

According to Swastika Chhetri, who is also engaged in the campaign, the feeding programme was started with a motive to send a message to society that stray dogs should also be loved and cared for.

Chhetri said that the dogs were being fed on alternative days. "We decided to hold the campaign on alternative days so that the dogs search for food by themselves on the days when we do not feed them," she said.

She added that the Rotaract Club of Damak was also helping them in the campaign. "Like humans, animals also have the right to live and the right to food. Thus, it is our duty to feed the stray animals," said the campaigners.

Nabin Kumar Agrawal, the member of the executive committee of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries, Damak, said that the youths were doing a noble job by feeding the street dogs.