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| Street dogs are targets in Baghdad. © HSI |
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Authorities in some of Baghdad's neighborhoods have initiated a campaign to eradicate the street dog populations through poisoning and shooting. This is being done in response to complaints by citizens fearful of roaming dogs that have allegedly attacked and killed 13 people, according to Baghdad officials.
Humane Society International (HSI) has written letters to the Prime Minster of Iraq, the Governor of Baghdad, and the Iraqi Ambassador to the United States, urging them to work with HSI to implement more humane and effective street animal management policies.
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February 13, 2009—Humane Society International (HSI) is deeply concerned over recent media reports revealing more shootings and poisonings of street dogs in Baghdad. HSI intends to impress upon Iraqi officials in the strongest possible terms that this cruelty must stop, and will again offer assistance and expertise on humane animal management policies. |
Media have reported that over 200 dogs so far have been killed in targeted areas of the city by government officials and veterinarians. Photos of a rifle aimed at an unsuspecting dog and authorities distributing poisoned meat to a curious puppy have sparked outrage in the global animal welfare community.
HSI is opposed to such methods of stray control on the basis that they are neither humane nor have they been found to provide long-term solutions to the overpopulation problem. The concern over disease transmission to humans and dog aggression are logical, but simply removing dogs in this manner only allows other dogs to move in to their place to continue the cycle of breeding, suffering and culling.
Through its street animal welfare programs, HSI has collaborated with governments across the globe to implement more humane methods of animal population control via spay/neuter, vaccination, legislation, and education.
Updated May 5, 2009
