Deputy Director General of Health in Sulaymaniyah, Dr. Hersh Salim, received treatment after being bitten by stray dogs near his home on Tuesday morning.
'Minor' injuries
Deputy health director in Sulaymaniyah hurt in stray dog attack
SULAYMANIYAH — Deputy Director General of Health in Sulaymaniyah, Dr. Hersh Salim, sustained minor injuries Tuesday morning after being attacked by stray dogs near the provincial government building, his family said.
His brother, Hiwa Saeed Salim, told 964media the incident happened around 7 a.m. “Dr. Hersh was near our home, heading toward the Derwaza City apartments for exercise, when stray dogs attacked him and bit his leg, causing injuries,” he said. Although the wound was minor, he was taken to hospital as a precaution and given a rabies vaccine.
Hiwa said his brother’s condition was stable. “After receiving treatment, he returned to work and continued his official duties. Thankfully, there is no problem with his health,” he added.
Dr. Hersh later posted on Facebook that “the real issue is that the relevant authorities are not controlling the growing number of stray dogs, even though I was attacked in a central area of the city, close to the governorate offices and under the watch of guards and staff. No one intervened except me defending myself.” He called on local authorities to take “practical” measures, warning that “this city is full of stray dogs of all kinds, and no one is doing anything about it. All sides must find a solution as soon as possible, for the safety of everyone.”
Stray dog attacks continue to be a pressing issue in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, leading to increasing calls for measures. Stray dogs have been responsible for several attacks, some resulting in fatalities, particularly among children.
In May, a six-year-old boy was left in critical condition after being attacked by a pack of stray dogs in Qucheblbas village in Dashty Hawler district of Erbil governorate.
