Georgia's Stray Dog Crackdown Sparks Outrage Among Activists

Georgia is stepping up efforts to control its large stray animal population through a nationwide programme. The National Food Agency has sterilised, vaccinated, and tagged over 120,000 dogs since 2022, with plans to extend the scheme to 36,000 more animals by early 2026. Recent operations in Zugdidi, however, have sparked concerns among activists about the fate of the dogs being removed from the streets. In Zugdidi, stray dogs were recently rounded up and transported to a shelter in Kutaisi. Local activist Salome Partsvania discovered the operation after spotting a vehicle filled with dozens of dogs outside the city hall. She later claimed the animals had been sterilised, tagged, and cared for by volunteers.

The National Food Agency confirmed the dogs would be returned to Zugdidi after veterinary procedures. Zugdidi City Hall stated it was not directly involved, as the operation was led by the national agency. Despite these assurances, activists report a pattern of dogs disappearing from cities without being brought back. Some fear the animals are being abandoned in remote areas or euthanised. A petition has been drafted, criticising a government decree that bans returning dogs to certain locations, calling the rule unclear and poorly enforced.

The National Food Agency's programme has already sterilised and vaccinated more than 120,000 stray dogs since 2022. With plans to expand the initiative, concerns remain over transparency and the long-term welfare of the animals. Activists continue to push for clearer policies on how and where the dogs are released after treatment.