Erbil municipality intensifies campaign to collect stray dogs. (Photo: General Directorate of Erbil Municipalities)
200 captured in recent days
Erbil municipality intensifies campaign to capture and shelter stray dogs as public concern grows
ERBIL — The Erbil Municipality has intensified its efforts to collect stray dogs across the city, targeting areas where their presence is considered problematic by residents.
Mariwan Hakim Hadi, the director general of Erbil municipalities, told 964media on Saturday, “Our campaign to collect stray dogs is ongoing, but in recent days, we have launched a more intensive effort. Wherever necessary, we respond and remove the dogs from the area.”
Hadi noted that large numbers of stray dogs have been collected from neighborhoods including Kawrgosk, Bahrka, Shamamk, Daratoo, and other parts of Erbil. The dogs have been transferred to the Erbil shelter.
He added, “Previously, after neutering and vaccinating the dogs, we would release them back into the environment. Now, they remain in the shelter.”
Hassan Ismail, director of Erbil’s government-run shelter for dogs, confirmed to 964media that the intensified campaign has led to the collection of 200 stray dogs over the past few days.
He further explained that between Sept. 27, 2023, and the end of 2024, 13,000 stray dogs were collected from within Erbil city, along with 785 from surrounding areas.
Regarding future plans for releasing the dogs, Ismail stated, “Previously, after neutering and vaccination, we would release the dogs outside Erbil. However, for this year, we have not yet made a decision.”
Stray dog attacks continue to be a pressing issue in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, leading to increasing calls for effective measures. In October 2024, a 10-year-old girl died from injuries sustained in an attack in Erbil’s Shamamk subdistrict.
Earlier this month. a 10-year-old boy was killed in Kirkuk by a stray dog, prompting protest by locals.
In 2023, Erbil documented over 700 cases of dog bites, averaging about two incidents per day, according to data released by the Western Erbil Emergency Hospital.