Tbilisi’s Stray Dog Crisis: A Clash Between Public Policy and Civil Society

In the streets of Tbilisi, Georgia, the relationship between residents and the city’s stray dog population has long been characterized by a unique, communal bond. For years, “yard dogs”—identifiable by yellow municipal tags—have been a fixture of the urban landscape, cared for by locals and integrated into the daily rhythm of neighborhood life. However, recent months have seen these animals vanishing, sparking a heated national debate over animal welfare, government transparency, and the state of civil society in Georgia.

The Government’s New Stray Management Initiative

In February, the Georgian government updated its nationwide initiative to manage the country’s stray dog population. The program, overseen by the National Food Agency, involves the capture, vaccination, sterilization, and treatment of approximately 36,000 dogs. To support these efforts, the government has allocated 4.63 million lari (approximately $1.7 million) to municipalities tasked with hosting regional shelters. Official data from the National Food Agency indicates that between March 10 and April 2, authorities collected 502 dogs across three regions, returning 435 to their original environments following medical procedures. Despite these figures, the program has faced intense scrutiny. Activists argue that a government decree prohibiting the release of dogs near schools, hospitals, markets, restaurants, hotels, or playgrounds effectively forces animals into remote areas where survival is difficult.

Rising Tensions and Allegations of Mistreatment

The controversy reached a boiling point following the circulation of online footage depicting nighttime smoke rising from a crematorium at a municipal shelter in Gori. Activists expressed alarm, suggesting the facility might be used for the mass euthanasia of healthy strays. Shelter authorities have denied these allegations, maintaining that the crematorium is strictly reserved for the disposal of veterinary waste and animals that have perished from natural causes. Trust in government institutions remains low, exacerbated by a broader, strained political climate. Critics, including Tbilisi notary Bachana Shengelia, argue that the lack of transparent investigation into these incidents reflects a deeper issue of institutional accountability. When activists attempted to verify conditions at Tbilisi’s municipal shelter, they reported finding animals in poor sanitary conditions, which served as a catalyst for public protests in front of the State Chancellery.

A Divided Public and Political Landscape

The stray dog issue has become a political proxy in a country navigating significant social and political shifts. While some residents view the roaming packs as a genuine public health concern—citing instances of aggression and the risks of rabies—others argue that the government’s approach is inhumane and driven by political loyalty rather than merit-based policy. Shalva Papuashvili, the speaker of parliament, has dismissed the protests, characterizing the outcry as an attempt by the “radical opposition” to politicize the issue. Meanwhile, civil society organizations are pushing back. More than 25,000 individuals and over 40 organizations have signed a joint statement calling for a shift toward humane, comprehensive sterilization programs.

Key Takeaways

• Government Program: A state-led initiative aims to treat 36,000 stray dogs, with 4.63 million lari allocated for shelter operations.
• Sanitation Concerns: Videos of smoke at a Gori shelter have fueled rumors of mass euthanasia, which authorities maintain is simply the disposal of biological waste.
• Public Health: Georgia recorded 19 human rabies cases between 2024 and 2025, highlighting the complexity of managing stray populations in urban environments.
• Civil Society Response: Activists have created independent digital platforms to track the collection of stray dogs, seeking to fill the void left by a lack of official, transparent reporting.

Looking Ahead

The situation in Georgia reflects the challenges of balancing public safety with animal welfare in a climate of political polarization. As the government continues its efforts to manage the stray population, the demand for transparency from activists and concerned citizens remains high. For many Georgians, the treatment of these animals has become a litmus test for the government’s commitment to accountability and the protection of civil society.