A campaign has been initiated in Bardarash, Duhok province, to collect stray dogs and transport them to a shelter in Erbil, following a tragic incident in which a two-year-old child lost his life after being attacked by a pack of stray dogs.

The child was severely injured in the attack on Tuesday and was rushed to Akre’s emergency hospital. Despite receiving medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries. The incident has sparked widespread concern over the growing issue of stray dogs in the Kurdistan Region, prompting local authorities to take immediate action.

Azad Mohammed, the campaign supervisor, stated, “After the tragic incident in Bardarash where a child lost their life, we began preparations to collect stray dogs. We have coordinated with Bardarash municipality and the district governor's office, and they are supporting us in every way.”

District Mayor Sirwan Hassan confirmed that a comprehensive meeting was held with relevant authorities, who concluded that the stray dogs must be rounded up. “The dogs are being collected, and after their number reaches 100 to 150, they will be transported by truck to the stray dog shelter in Erbil,” Hassan explained.

The Erbil shelter, built in 2023 at a cost of over 480 million dinars (approximately $320,000), is located on the Erbil-Gwer road. It was established to address the growing population of stray dogs in the region. However, shelters in Erbil and Zakho have faced criticism for overcrowding, poor conditions, and a lack of food, leading to the deaths of many animals.

The high number of stray dogs in Kurdistan Region cities has long been a public health and safety concern. While population control efforts are ongoing, they often draw criticism from animal rights organizations. Stray dogs are frequently viewed as a menace, and incidents of violence against them are common, including beatings, shootings, and being hit by cars.

The recent tragedy in Bardarash has reignited debates over how to balance public safety with humane treatment of animals. Authorities hope that the current campaign will help mitigate the risks posed by stray dogs while addressing the challenges faced by local shelters.

As the campaign progresses, residents and officials alike are calling for long-term solutions to manage the stray dog population effectively and prevent further tragedies.