General view of Bardarash, Duhok governorate.
Boy, three, dies after stray dog attack in Duhok’s Bardarash
DUHOK — A three-year-old boy from Shewara village in Bardarash district, Duhok governorate, died Tuesday evening after being mauled by a stray dog, health officials confirmed.
The child, Shahram Mohammed, was taken to Akre General Hospital, where doctors attempted surgery to treat his severe injuries. Despite the efforts of three surgeons, he ultimately succumbed to his wounds.
Nechirvan Fakhraddin, a spokesperson for the Akre District Health Directorate, told 964media that “the child who was attacked by a stray dog passed away.”
Medical reports indicated that the boy sustained extensive injuries when the attack occurred around sunset on March 4. His family first rushed him to Bardarash emergency services before he was transferred to Akre for treatment.
According to 2024 statistics from the Kurdistan Animal Rights Organization, more than 13,000 stray dogs roam Duhok governorate.
A heated debate has emerged in Duhok over plans to cull stray dogs, dividing officials, religious leaders, and animal rights advocates. The Kurdistan Islamic Religious Scholars Union has backed efforts to eliminate strays following reports of attacks on residents, while the Duhok Veterinary Directorate and the Kurdistan Animal Rights Organization have strongly opposed the measure. Animal welfare groups argue that killing stray dogs contradicts the 2022 Kurdistan Parliament law protecting animals and insist on alternatives such as neutering.
Opponents of the cull warn that it could disrupt the ecological balance and lead to unintended consequences, such as an increase in rodents and other pests. Supporters, however, cite growing public concern over safety, pointing to incidents of attacks near universities, neighborhoods, and public spaces.
Stray dog attacks have claimed several lives in Iraq, particularly among children. In January, 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, campaigns to reduce the stray dog population have been initiated.
Duhok Veterinary Directorate opposes stray dog culling plan
