Seizures, fines
Stricter regulations imposed on livestock roaming across Kurdistan Region
NEWSROOM — Municipalities in districts and subdistricts across the Kurdistan region have begun enforcing stricter regulations on livestock roaming within city limits. Fines have increased from 25,000 dinars to 100,000 dinars ($19 to $76) for several animal owners recently.
Hama Ali Bakr, an agricultural engineer, told 964media, “The districts and subdistricts are designated agricultural areas, and many of them rely heavily on villages, not urban centers. Here, the seizure of domestic animals occurs when they are let loose by their owners.”
These areas are mainly agricultural and have been designated primarily for farming and rural living, with a significant portion relying on livestock for livelihood.
The municipal initiative comes as a response to the abandonment and roaming of domestic animals by their owners. Livestock owners report that fields and vegetated areas are sources of food for domestic animals, so they let them roam.
However, local authorities and some residents believe that animal roaming, mostly oxen and cows, within the districts and subdistricts is an “ugly phenomenon” that should be ended. Additionally, they report animals’ involvement in knocking over bins and even sometimes causing traffic issues.
Bakr also highlighted the economic structure of districts and subdistricts, which are not major industrial or administrative centers, stating that these areas rely predominantly on agriculture and livestock due to the absence of other significant sources of income.
“Their livelihood depends on this profession because these are not large industrial or administrative areas. The current situation has deteriorated from its former economic condition, leading to a depopulation of most of these areas, as there are no alternative income sources,” he explained.
In various districts in Halabja, Sharazur, Sulaymaniyah, Soran, Erbil, and Dohuk. Sharazur, recognized as an agricultural zone, has seen municipal authorities take more definitive actions.
Last week, the Sharazur Municipality announced that it temporarily confiscated ten animals found roaming within the city limits and fined their owners 50,000 dinars ($38) each.
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