05/12/2018, 10.01
BANGLADESH
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Dhaka’s 'Robin Hood' who saves stray animals

by Sumon Corraya

Afzal Khan and is a young Muslim actor. Other known faces of the show have begun to follow his charitable example towards four-legged friends. The Dhaka municipal council has a 50 cent bounty for every stray animals served tail.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - He is known throughout the country as the "Robin Hood of animals" who saves stray dogs and cats abandoned in the street. His name is Afzal Khan and he is a young actor of Muslim religion. For years, he has been housing and feeding animals that no one wants anymore. He has also founded an association of volunteers, the "Robin Hood Animal Rescuers", which has earned the sympathy of numerous people, including television stars and actresses, who want to follow his example in taking care of their four-legged friends.

On May 8, Afzal’s association organized a meeting to raise awareness on the issue of stray animals. Guest of honor, the renowned actress Jaya Ahsan, said: "Those who love animals serve God. We should all follow this lesson. I invite the whole population to do the same ". "Those who feeds animals - she added - also nourishes his soul". In fact, according to the actress, "animals are part of our society. Loving animals increases the sense of humanity ".

The young "Robin Hood of the animals" recounts that "since childhood I had the desire to do something for people in need, but I could not. One day my dog ​​was killed and I suffered a lot. At that moment I decided that I would work for abused animals ".

Since 2010, alongside his profession as an actor, Afzal plays the role of "street collector" of injured, abused and abandoned animals. He takes them to the vet for treatment and pays for medical expenses from his own pocket. In his house he hosts 45 cats and dogs. "Every day they need 180 kg of chicken, 80 kg of rice and 40 liters of milk". The young man reports that in the country "at the beginning not everyone accepted my initiative well. In our society there is no education [to respect  animals]. But then they soon began to appreciate me ".

According to Afzal, the high incidents of maltreatment of stray dogs also derives from "an inhuman practice: the city administration of Dhaka rewards 50 taka (0.50 euro) to anyone bringing a severed dog's tail. These subsidies encourage addicts who rely on the money they earn ". "Instead it is an immense joy when I come home after work, tired, and my pets run to meet me and look for my company. It's like when a father comes home and his children are happy to see him. "

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