Stray dogs beaten and abused in Iraqi Kurdistan: video

ERBIL,— The mistreatment of stray dogs in Iraqi Kurdistan Region has drawn growing criticism amid reports of abuse and neglect, with authorities facing pressure over their handling of the issue.

Stray dogs in the region are often subjected to harsh treatment, including being chased away, beaten, or pelted with stones. In some cases, they are hit by vehicles or shot. Videos circulating online have shown children throwing rocks at the animals, while others document dogs being killed.

Some animal rights activists have described the Kurdistan Region as a “hell for stray dogs” due to the frequent killings and lack of proper care.

Stray dogs being abused and beaten while being unloaded from a truck in Duhok, Iraqi Kurdistan, March 11, 2025. Photo: Screengrab/video/sm

A recent viral video showing stray dogs being unloaded from a truck and beaten in Duhok fueled outrage on social media. The footage surfaced shortly after Bardarash authorities, in Duhok province, began transferring strays to a shelter in Erbil following a deadly attack on a two-year-old child by a pack of dogs.

Experts argue that stray dogs typically do not attack humans unless provoked. Animal welfare advocates say that violent behavior in dogs is often a response to mistreatment, and they call for more humane approaches to managing the stray population.

Zhyar Jalal, head of Erbil’s services and environmental protection directorate, denied responsibility for the abuse seen in the video. “The reports linking this incident to Erbil are inaccurate,” Jalal told Rudaw. “Following this, we have stopped accepting dogs from Bardarash.”

Authorities in Bardarash had launched a campaign to round up stray dogs after the child’s death, citing public safety concerns. Bardarash district mayor Sirwan Hassan said officials held discussions before deciding to transfer the animals to Erbil.

In 2023, Erbil authorities established a stray dog shelter at a cost of over 480 million Iraqi dinars (about $320,000). However, activists argue that funding alone is not enough. “It doesn’t matter how much you spend on a shelter,” an activist said. “You need to hire the right people—those who care about animals. The job must be done by animal lovers and activists, not by people without compassion.”

The facility, located on the Erbil-Gwer road, has faced criticism for overcrowding and inadequate resources. Similar challenges have been reported at a shelter in Zakho, where a shortage of food and poor conditions have led to the deaths of many animals.

Authorities in Erbil have captured 14,000 stray dogs as part of ongoing efforts to manage the growing population, officials said. However, animal rights activists have condemned the methods used, calling for humane solutions.

Muslim religious rulings allowing the killing of stray dogs have also sparked controversy, deepening tensions between activists and religious leaders. Critics say the Kurdistan Region lacks comprehensive animal protection laws, and efforts to address the issue remain hindered by political and administrative challenges.

The viral footage of abused stray dogs has further tarnished the region’s image, with some observers noting that this is hardly the best advertisement for Iraqi Kurdistan.