Cash reward in Sulaimani for anyone catching stray dogs

SULAIMANI,— Authorities in Sulaimani, in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, have launched a weeklong campaign to collect stray dogs across the city and surrounding areas ahead of the new school year, the municipality announced Friday.

According to the statement, residents who capture stray dogs will receive compensation ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 Iraqi dinars, or about $1.50 to $2.00 per dog.

The program begins Saturday. Captured dogs will be relocated to a shelter in Razyana village, located southeast of Sulaimani.

The municipality said that animals must be delivered under certain conditions. “If a dog has puppies, the mother and the puppies must be handed in together,” the statement read.

A reward of 3,000 dinars ($2.30) will be provided if the dogs are delivered directly to the shelter, while those given to collection teams will bring 2,000 dinars ($1.50). Officials also noted that only dogs captured within Sulaimani province will be accepted.

The campaign comes as local officials urge support from animal welfare groups and residents. The municipality said its aim is to improve public safety while ensuring care for the animals.

The Kurdistan Region has long struggled with a large stray dog population. Erbil authorities conducted a similar initiative earlier this year.

Animal rights organizations, however, have repeatedly criticized such drives, pointing to overcrowded shelters, shortages of food, and poor conditions that often lead to high mortality rates.

Reports from shelters in Erbil and Zakho show facilities housing thousands of animals beyond capacity. In Erbil, a shelter built two years ago spans 20 dunams of land and has taken in more than 17,000 dogs in less than a year.

In Sulaimani, a shelter built in 2021 on five dunams is now facing overcrowding and damaged infrastructure.

Officials in Duhok province are still building a shelter, while Halabja and other autonomous administrations lack permanent facilities.

Violence against stray dogs is also widespread in Iraqi Kurdistan. The animals are often harassed, struck with sticks, killed in traffic accidents, or shot.

Activists say the Kurdistan Region has no effective legislation to protect animals. Recent footage from Duhok in March 2025 showing mistreatment of dogs by city workers sparked renewed calls for reforms.

Critics argue that the lack of humane policies continues to damage the region’s image while leaving the problem unresolved.

(With files from Rudaw | Channel8 | Agencies)