Over the past few days, heavy rains have flooded the streets of Kolkata, India, leaving humans and animals searching for a safe place in the storm. So it seemed only natural to Constable Tarun Kumar Mandal that he should help out those in need.
Last Saturday, Mandal was monitoring traffic at a busy seven-way crossing when he received some unexpected company. Two wet stray dogs spotted him standing in the middle of the street and flocked to him.
![Cop protects stray dogs under his umbrella](https://assets3.thrillist.com/v1/image/3012358/792x754/scale;webp=auto;jpeg_quality=60.jpg)
The compassionate cop offered the two dogs shelter under his large umbrella and continued directing traffic.
A passerby snapped a photo of the small act of kindness and shared it on social media, touching people from around the world. And the look on the dogs’ faces says it all:
![](https://assets3.thrillist.com/v1/image/3012361/610x318/scale;webp=auto;jpeg_quality=60.jpg)
With an estimated 35 to 40 million stray dogs in India — one of the highest populations in the world — there’s a long way to go to help these animals. But the Kolkata police try to step in wherever they can when there’s a dog in need of rescue or just a place to rest.
And for the two grateful street dogs, the moment of respite meant the world.