14,000 stray dogs captured in Erbil as control measures intensify

ERBIL,— Authorities in Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan region have captured 14,000 stray dogs as part of an ongoing effort to manage the city’s growing population of strays, officials said. To speed up the process, additional trucks have been requested to expand collection operations.

Zhyar Jalal, head of Erbil’s services and environmental protection directorate, told Rudaw that 14,000 dogs have been collected so far, with 5,000 undergoing sterilization.

“Once collected, the dogs are taken to a shelter. Some remain there, while others are sterilized and released,” Jalal said.

A shelter for stray dogs was established in 2023 along the Erbil-Gwer road at a cost of more than 480 million dinars (approximately $320,000).

To enhance collection efforts, authorities have asked for two additional trucks. “We currently have three trucks, allowing us to collect over 50 dogs daily,” Jalal noted.

Stray dog populations in cities across Iraqi Kurdistan region have been a long-standing issue, with concerns raised about their impact on public health.

Control measures have drawn criticism from animal rights organizations, which cite overcrowded shelters and inadequate food supplies, leading to poor conditions and high mortality rates.

In many parts of the Kurdish region, stray dogs face widespread mistreatment, often being beaten, hit by vehicles, or killed. Some have described Kurdistan as a ‘hell for stray dogs’ due to the frequent killings and lack of proper care.

In January 2025, animal rights groups protested against the killing of stray dogs in Kirkuk and Duhok, demanding that authorities implement more humane strategies.

Muslim religious rulings that permit the killing of stray dogs have also sparked controversy, increasing tensions between animal rights activists and local religious figures.

While challenges persist, some residents in the region have taken it upon themselves to care for and feed stray dogs, highlighting a growing awareness of animal welfare.

(With files from Rudaw)