Kurdistan Islamic Religious Scholars Union Approves Plan to Get Rid of Stray Dogs
Calls for 'ethical' methods
Kurdistan Islamic Religious Scholars Union supports plan to control stray dog population in Duhok
DUHOK — The Kurdistan Islamic Religious Scholars Union in Duhok Governorate has expressed support for a plan to eliminate stray dogs following reports of attacks on residents. The decision has raised concerns among animal rights advocates, who argue they were not consulted.
On Monday, Jihad Beskivi, head of the Duhok branch of the Kurdistan Islamic Religious Scholars Union, told 964media, “After the increasing number of stray dogs at Duhok University, nearby neighborhoods, and streets, as well as incidents of attacks on individuals, the Duhok branch of the Scholars Union has coordinated with the university administration and the College of Islamic Sciences to approve measures to get rid of stray dogs.”
Beskvi clarified that the process must be handled ‘ethically’, stating, “The solution must follow scientific methods, and veterinary committees should oversee the process to ensure it is carried out ethically.”
He referenced Islamic principles, adding, “In Islam, if animals pose harm to people, it is permissible to remove them or prevent their negative impact through appropriate and thoughtful means.”
The Kurdistan Islamic Religious Scholars Union is a prominent organization in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq composed of Islamic scholars, clerics, and religious leaders. It serves as a representative body for Islamic jurisprudence and community guidance in the region.
According to 2024 statistics from the Kurdistan Animal Rights Organization, there are over 13,000 stray dogs live in Duhok Governorate.
Sleman Tamar, president of the Kurdistan Animal Rights Organization, criticized the decision. “We have not been informed about any specific plan to get rid of stray dogs,” Tamar told 964 Media. “This issue must be approached scientifically and ethically. Decisions to eliminate stray dogs without proper evaluation are neither humane nor acceptable.”
Regarding alternatives, Tamar suggested, “If no other solution is viable, humane euthanasia through medication may be acceptable, but violent methods are not an option.”
“The Duhok shelter is 95 percent complete and spans 11,000 square meters,” he noted, emphasizing its importance as a sustainable solution for managing the region’s stray animal population.
Stray dogs in Iraq have been responsible for several attacks, some resulting in fatalities, particularly among children. Earlier this month, a 10-year-old boy named Aland Ayman was fatally attacked by a pack of stray dogs in Kirkuk while waiting outside his school. In response to such incidents, campaigns to reduce the stray dog population have been initiated.