Dog refuses to leave rubble even after house washed away in Nepal flood

A dog is not leaving its familiar rubble even after houses were washed away in the severe floods in Nepal. Rescuers believe the dog recognized the place as its own home and area. That is why it is repeatedly returning there. This heart-touching scene has drawn the attention of people in Trishuli Bazaar of Nuwakot district in Nepal.

In a week of severe floods, four houses in an area of Trishuli Bazaar were completely washed away. Now mud, wood and the debris of broken structures lie there. And the black-and-white dog is sitting amid that rubble. It still has a collar around its neck, but its name could not be known.

Rescuers said even though work to remove the debris with heavy machinery is going on nearby, the dog is not leaving the place. Attempts were made to move it by giving food or calling it by various names, but the animal did not respond. Instead, it is repeatedly returning to the place where the entrance of a house was.

Volunteer relief worker Bikram Thapa said, “We tried to call it with biscuits and called it by various names. But it does not even turn its head. Its collar is still intact. It does not want to leave this place.”

Sunil Tamang, involved in the debris removal work, said the dog did not show much fear even from the loud noise of multiple JCBs and heavy machines. Sometimes it raises its head when vehicles or people pass by, but returns to the previous place once they leave. It is not even willing to cross the boundary of its old courtyard.

Rescuers could not confirm which of the four houses the dog was related to. However, from its behaviour, locals believe one of the destroyed houses was its home. It is perhaps lying there waiting for the familiar area and family.

Animal rescue volunteer Rita Gurung said no attempt is now being made to force the dog away. Instead, dry food and water are being left for it every few hours. When the road becomes a bit quiet, the dog eats a little food.

Meanwhile, another dog named ‘Sweetie’ in Nuwakot was rescued five days after the flood and returned to its owner. It was learnt that the dog got trapped at home as it is deaf and could not hear the calls of family members.

The death toll from the severe floods and landslides in Nepal and China has crossed one thousand. Besides, nearly four thousand people are still missing.