Dogs in Nepal were decked with marigold garlands and bright vermillion paint on Sunday to celebrate a day dedicated to them as part of a Hindu festival. Kukur Tihar, the second day of the five-day Tihar festival. Businessman Sujit Dongol, who celebrated the festival at home, told AFP that his dog was part of the family.

“He is a companion to everyone and is always happy and playful like a child,” he said, holding his one-year-old American Bully in his arms. “We feel happy worshipping a dog that lives with us.” Dog lovers also offer treats and toys to their pets and street dogs during the celebration. The Armed Police Force held a special ritual to honor and worship their canine force, which is often used during natural disasters and in the detection of explosives and drugs.

Nepal Armed Police dog handlers and their dog show off their skills during an event to mark the Hindu festival Tihar, at the Armed Police Dog Training School in Kathmandu.--AFP photos

Nepal Armed Police dog handlers clean their dogs during an event to mark the Hindu festival Tihar, at the Armed Police Dog Training School in Kathmandu.

An Armed Police dog with vermillion on its forehead and marigold garland placed around its neck looks on during an event to mark the Hindu festival Tihar.

A Nepal Armed Police dog handler cleans a dog during an event to mark the Hindu festival Tihar.

A Nepal Armed Police dog handler cleans a dog during an event to mark the Hindu festival Tihar.

An Armed Police dog shows off its skills during an event to mark the Hindu festival Tihar.

An Armed Police dog shows off its skills during an event to mark the Hindu festival Tihar.

Nepal Armed Police dog handlers along with their dogs attend an event to mark the Hindu festival Tihar.

Nepal Armed Police dogs handler and their dogs show off their skills during an event to mark the Hindu festival Tihar.

An Armed Police dog with vermillion on his forehead and marigold garland placed around his neck looks on during an event.

“It is a special day,” said Ramesh Pokharel, chief of the Animal Health and Dog Handler section of the Armed Police Force. “Our dogs have helped us a lot, so the security personnel feel happy to celebrate this.” Inspired by Nepal’s festival, a similar annual celebration began in Mexico in 2016. But animal welfare groups say the special treatment should not be limited to a single day and inhumane treatment towards street dogs, such as poisoning them to cull the population or to prevent rabies, must be stopped. — AFP