A stray dog refers to a dog that typically has no owner, is not confined to a home, yard, or private property, and roams freely. These dogs interact and mate with other dogs and, in some cases, with other canids—such as wolves—producing hybrid species like wolf-dogs, which can be highly dangerous. They may spend all or part of their time outdoors, often unsupervised, and freely traverse rural areas or natural environments. They can form groups and exhibit pack behaviors.

To learn more about this animal species and ways to address this issue, we spoke with Dr. Iman Memarian. According to Memarian, despite having a variety of career options in popular fields within biology, he chose veterinary medicine. However, after entering university, he realized that wildlife veterinary medicine was not a specialized field in Iran. For this reason, after obtaining a DVM, he pursued specialized education in wildlife veterinary medicine in several European and African countries.

After completing his studies, Dr. Memarian returned to Iran due to the country’s need for wildlife experts. He explains, “I believed that a country lacking wildlife veterinary medicine would need my expertise more than others, and my work would hold greater value in such a place.”

We had a brief yet comprehensive discussion with him about the issue of stray dogs in Iran and sought his expert opinion on ways to address the presence of this invasive species in both human communities and wildlife environments.

What follows is Peace Mark Monthly Magazine’s conversation with this wildlife veterinary specialist.

As you know, the issue of stray dogs has become a hot topic in Iran in recent years. To begin, as a veterinary expert, how would you define stray dogs?

Stray dogs are those that roam freely without human management. They go wherever they want and are not properly fed. This also includes abandoned or free-roaming dogs, which can be categorized further—those in urban areas and those in natural environments.

At one point, efforts to address the issue of stray dogs in various parts of the country involved killing them. Do you think this method is effective or appropriate?

Absolutely not. The most critical step in resolving this issue is waste management. Unless waste management—one of the most fundamental measures—is implemented, and leftover human food continues to be freely available to stray dogs as it is now, population management will not succeed.

That’s for urban areas. What about rural or natural environments?

In both cases, if waste is not managed properly, subsequent measures cannot be implemented. First, waste must be managed so that leftover human food is not accessible to these dogs. Only then can other management strategies be undertaken. Additionally, the public must take responsibility. Owners of pet dogs must be required to spay/neuter and vaccinate their animals, provide proper food, and ensure their pets do not leave their confined spaces. Once this is done, further steps like capturing, sterilizing, and other management measures can follow.

Are there any global resources or assistance available to help with these efforts?

There is no global assistance for Iran, but in other countries, large non-governmental organizations (NGOs) exist to help. However, the main point is that government budgets must be allocated for these efforts, which would then pave the way for subsequent actions.

Some people, either individually or through support groups, feed these dogs. How helpful or appropriate do you think this is?

When we say that leftover food should not be fed to these animals, this includes such activities.

I mean when people prepare proper food for them rather than giving them leftovers.

That’s still essentially feeding them waste. For example, buying leftover meat scraps and distributing them counts as waste. As a result, population management for these dogs becomes impossible. Responsible feeding means feeding a specific, limited group that has already been sterilized. But scattering leftover meat on streets or in the wilderness only creates more waste.

Currently, shelters have been established to care for stray dogs and cats. How effective do you think these shelters are?

None of these shelters meet the necessary standards, and they make the situation worse. They cram numerous dogs and cats together, causing severe harm to the animals, and in every way, this is a very bad approach.

The budget required to manage and control the population of these animals is beyond the capacity of existing shelters and charities. Under normal conditions, they might be able to assist alongside a central team, but they cannot independently address the issue.

What should be done? I mean, this isn’t just about waste management. Cultural education is also important. What do you think should be done to address this? And is it even possible given the situation in Iran?

The problem in Iran is that authorities attempt to erase the problem from the start. As you mentioned, they initially wanted to kill the dogs to control their population. This attitude extends to pet dogs as well. The core issue—acknowledging the ownership of dogs—was never accepted, so proper cultural education on this matter never occurred. As a result, we’ve ended up where we are today.

So the first step is to officially recognize pet ownership, and then proceed to collect and control stray dogs. But this requires legal foundations. Do such laws exist?

Not only are there no laws, but there is also no proper planning to implement this work.

In other words, the only response so far has been physical force, such as killing the animals. What other solutions have been implemented in European countries to address this issue?

After spaying/neutering and ensuring pet owners take responsibility, stray dogs are collected in groups, and their reproduction is controlled. These measures have been applied to different breeds of dogs.

If we want to solve this problem, it is possible by implementing the mentioned measures—the same approach taken by developed countries. The Islamic Republic’s government must adopt these methods, or the problem will remain unresolved. The next step—following the implementation of these measures—would involve cultural education, which requires participation from all cultural sectors, from media to relevant organizations.

Keep in mind that government officials must “want” to scientifically and effectively manage this issue. Unfortunately, the necessity of controlling the stray dog population has not yet been fully acknowledged by the authorities.

Every week, we see news reports about stray dogs attacking people. Sometimes, people become desperate. This issue has also created a cultural divide between those who own pets and others. Where do you think this problem is headed?

This divide will undoubtedly deepen. Since the responsible authorities have not taken the correct steps, this problem will further pit people against each other in the future. Of course, neither group is to blame. This is the result of negligence in implementing appropriate population management programs, which has led to the current situation.

How do you assess the impact of stray dogs on environmental degradation?

Stray dogs are one of the most significant invasive species in the environment, capable of causing severe damage. In recent years, the Iranian cheetah has suffered the most from this threat.

Do you approve of the municipality’s methods for collecting stray dogs?

Not at all. Their methods have been ineffective, as evidenced by the current situation. In some cities, dogs are removed from urban areas and released into the wild. This is particularly evident in northern Iran, where these dogs have taken over natural habitats.

So, without a supportive, enforceable law, it’s impossible to be optimistic about resolving this issue.

That’s exactly right.

Do you have any hope for improvement?

My only hope is that either these officials are replaced, or their mindset and approach change. Only then might progress be made.

What advice do you have for the public?

The most important thing people can do is educate each other about proper pet care. Those who own pets should manage them responsibly, ensuring their animals do not roam freely outside the home. Spaying/neutering should not be neglected. Above all, people must manage their waste correctly—both organic and non-organic waste.

Is there anything else you’d like to add—something I haven’t asked?

An important point I’d like to emphasize is that the situation with stray dogs will reach a point where, in addition to harming the environment and wildlife, they will cause serious damage to society. At that point, officials unfamiliar with effective solutions may resort to misguided actions, which will not benefit the public in the end.

Thank you for your time and for speaking with Peace Mark Monthly Magazine.