Six-year-old boy dies from stray dog attack after four days in intensive care, sparking renewed calls for action

ERBIL — A six-year-old boy who was critically injured in a stray dog attack in the village of Qucheblbas has died after four days in intensive care, his family confirmed Saturday.

“Mohammed, my brother, died this afternoon after four days in the hospital due to the severity of his injuries,” Rajab Abdulghafar told 964media.

Mohammed Abdulghafar, who had Down syndrome, was attacked by a group of stray dogs on the evening of May 27 while playing outside his home in the Dashty Hawler district of Erbil governorate. He was taken to Rojava Hospital, where he had remained in critical condition until his death.

“We’ve been at the hospital since last night, and nothing has changed,” Rajab said earlier this week. “Doctors have done what they can, and now we’re just hoping for mercy from God.”

The family is now calling for urgent action to address the growing threat of stray dogs in residential areas. “There needs to be a permanent solution to this problem,” Abdulghafar said. “This cannot keep happening.”

Stray dog attacks have become a recurring concern across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, with multiple cases involving children. While local authorities say thousands of stray dogs have been removed from city centers and relocated to shelters, families continue to express concern over safety.

Zhyar Jalal, director of Environmental Services in Erbil, previously told 964media that about 16,000 stray dogs have been collected from the city and an additional 14,000 from surrounding areas, all transferred to designated shelters.