ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Sulaimani is tackling its stray dog problem by offering cash for every animal captured.
“Due to the increasing number of stray dogs in the streets and neighborhoods of Sulaimani, and with the upcoming start of the school year, the Sulaimani Municipality would like to inform all citizens that an intensive, weeklong campaign to collect stray dogs has been launched,” the Sulaimani municipality said in a statement on Friday.
They will pay 2,000 to 3,000 dinars ($1.50 - $2.00) for every dog captured. The campaign will start on Saturday.
The captured animals will be taken to a designated shelter in Razyana village south-east of the city.
“The conditions for capture are that each dog with puppies must be delivered together and not without the puppies,” said the statement, adding that “when they are handed over to the shelter three thousand dinars will be rewarded and if handed over to the dog collection teams two thousand dinars will be rewarded.”
Dogs must be captured within Sulaimani province.
Sulaimani is asking animal protection organizations and animal lovers to support their campaign to ensure the safety and well-being of people and animals.
Erbil authorities launched a similar campaign in May.
The high number of stray dogs in Kurdistan Region cities remains a long-standing concern and efforts to control the population often face criticism from animal rights organizations. Dog shelters in Erbil and Zakho have been reported to suffer from overcrowding and a lack of food, leading to poor conditions and many of the animals dying.
Violence against stray dogs is rife in the Kurdistan Region. The animals are often considered a menace and a public health risk. They are commonly shooed away, beaten, hit with sticks, killed by cars or shot.
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