Some people feel sorry for them and bring some food to their gathering places. They usually gather near markets, pubs, restaurants, garbage cans, where they could find leftovers, but during the epidemics all these places are often closed. The life of stray dogs becomes even more difficult.

Akhalkalaki residents often complain that dogs are very aggressive. In the morning or in the evening, they are afraid to go out of the house because of the dogs. If every housewife feeds stray dogs around them instead of throwing food into trash, their condition would improve. Like humans, all animals will be grateful to their feeders. And a friendly bond will be established between humans and dogs. People should teach their children to love stray animals from an early age. Children should love dogs and be afraid of them and they should not treat them badly. In order to bring positive change in society and raise awareness about the importance of animal protection, classes should be offered in kindergartens and schools. Similar training should be organized also for adults.

This year, there were 9 cases of dog attacking people. The number of attacks decreased compared to last year, when 15 cases were registered. This year, 20,000 GEL was allocated from the local budget of Akhalkalaki Municipality to solve the problem of stray dogs, to examine and sterilize them. But there is no budget to build an animal shelter, which must meet the following minimum standards: laboratory, veterinary area, quarantine area and walki

Ramaz Khutsishvili

Head of Property Management and Agrarian Affairs of Akhalkalaki Municipality

Chairman of the Committee on Stray Dogs

Dogs in Akhalkalaki are often abused. I’ve witnessed several cases.

Once in the evening, I was looking out of my window and drawing a dog which was sleeping at the entrance of a block of houses. I suddenly saw that a neighbor kicked him away and entered the building. I was shocked to see the behavior that was so inhuman towards a poor sleeping dog, which was probably thinking he had finally found a warm corner.

I have also seen boys harassing dogs. A few months ago while walking home from school I saw a group of boys torturing them on one of the central streets of the city. They took it as a way of entertainment. I’m really sorry that people don’t accept animals and especially stray animals as live beings who need food, care and shelter the same way as humans do.

I remember how I was scared when I saw a dog’s body hit by a car. They drive very fast and do not pay attention to the dogs. I think that they don’t feel sorry for them. What’s more, most drivers don’t even take the bodies away when they hit street animals. Instead, they leave them in the middle of the street

Important facts to know according to Georgian Law on cruelty towards animals.

Article 259. Cruel treatment of animals

1. Cruelty to an animal that has resulted in its death or mutilation, as well as animal burn,

shall be punishable by a fine or correctional labor for a term not exceeding one year.

2. The same action committed:

A) in groups;

B) repeatedly;

C) in the presence of a minor;

Shall be punishable by a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.

People walk in the streets and sometimes don’t see them. We tried to bring their life through the eyes of an ordinary street dog to you.