Authorities continue efforts to capture and shelter stray dogs in Bahrka

ERBIL — Authorities in Erbil’s Bahrka subdistrict are continuing efforts to collect stray dogs, with nearly 250 dogs captured and transferred to shelters so far, officials said.

Chro Hussein, a spokesperson for Bahrka Municipality, told 964media, “So far, we have carried out four to five campaigns to collect stray dogs within the Bahrka subdistrict. In each campaign, we have captured between 50 and 70 dogs and transferred them to the stray dog shelter in Erbil.”

He added, “Our campaign is ongoing, and anyone who contacts us about stray dogs in any area of the subdistrict will receive a response. We will go to the location and relocate the dogs.”

Hussein emphasized that the teams responsible for capturing the dogs are trained professionals who ensure no harm comes to the animals during their transfer.

964media contacted Zhyar Jalal, director of Environmental Services in Erbil. He said, “So far, around 16,000 stray dogs have been collected from the city center and about 14,000 from surrounding areas, and they have been transferred to shelters.”

He added that the campaigns are ongoing, with two teams working daily in central Erbil. “Each day, they collect between 40 and 50 stray dogs. After transfer to the shelters, the dogs are treated by a medical team, undergo surgery, and are sterilized. This is part of our efforts to reduce the stray dog population in the area,” he said.

Stray dog attacks continue to be a pressing issue in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, leading to increasing calls for effective measures. On March 5, 2025, a three-year-old boy from Shewara village in Bardarash district, Duhok governorate, died after being mauled by a stray dog, health officials confirmed. In October 2024, a 10-year-old girl died from injuries sustained in an attack in Erbil’s Shamamk subdistrict. Earlier this year, a 10-year-old boy was killed in Kirkuk by a stray dog, prompting protests by locals.

Erbil municipality intensifies campaign to capture and shelter stray dogs as public concern grows

Activists demand action on stray dogs following attack on child in Kirkuk

Kurdistan Islamic Religious Scholars Union supports plan to control stray dog population in Duhok