Kirkuk volunteer campaign treats over 200 stray dogs to curb disease risk

KIRKUK — Veterinary students and doctors in Kirkuk have launched a three-day campaign to treat more than 200 stray dogs with anti-parasitic medication, aiming to reduce the spread of diseases that can be transmitted to humans.

The volunteer initiative is being carried out in coordination with the Lala Environmental Protection Organization and targets external parasites that pose health risks through direct contact or bites. The treatments, applied as an oil behind each dog’s shoulders, remain effective for up to three months.

“This campaign targets diseases transmitted through direct contact or bites,” said Shwan Wrya, a veterinarian. “We aim to treat no fewer than 200 dogs, including those roaming the streets.”

Wrya said the effort is driven by public health concerns and limited infrastructure. “We lack the means to move dogs to shelters,” he said. “The shelter itself is under-resourced and operated mostly by a single individual who cannot manage all the animals.”

Student volunteer Mustafa Kanie said the campaign emerged from student concerns over neglected animal care. “We noticed clear neglect in tackling external parasites in Kirkuk,” he said. “These parasites pose a direct threat to the city’s residents.”

Kanie said the group is using officially approved treatments but faces logistical challenges. “We face many obstacles, including a lack of veterinary staff and no support,” he said. “We need a system to tag stray dogs for organized treatment, but we lack the capacity and resources.”

Heba Ranj Khidr, a volunteer with the Lala organization, said the team has 211 doses for the campaign.

“We have 211 treatment doses that are applied as an oil behind the shoulder, avoiding the mouth and tongue to protect the animal’s health,” she said.

Khidr added the campaign is also about protecting people. “It’s also about protecting human health, because the parasites we’re fighting can transmit serious zoonotic diseases,” she said.