A begging street dog. (symbol image)Image: www.imago-images.de
Anyone who sees street dogs during the holidays rarely suspects how differently individual countries treat them. An evaluation shows where dogs suffer particularly.
Apr 06, 2026, 05:28Apr 06, 2026, 05:28
Jennifer Buchholz / t-online
Anyone who has ever been on holiday in Spain, Greece or Turkey knows them: the numerous ownerless dogs and cats that roam the streets or beg for food in front of the holiday home. A current study by Human Word of Animals shows which holiday destinations the animals are in really poorly and where they are in good hands.
The focus of the investigation was, among other things, how the population treated the animals. It is not uncommon for ownerless dogs and cats to be poisoned, shot, captured or locked up for life in inadequate accommodation.
A stray dog in the pedestrian area of Chalkida, Greece.Image: www.imago-images.de
The 5 worst countries for street dogs
Türkiye
Since a new law came into force in 2024, dogs in Turkey have been doing much worse than before. Because this law stipulates that four million street dogs in the country should be removed and placed in animal shelters. But for most people it’s not a happy ending that awaits them – it’s death. According to Human World of Animals, most animals in shelters are euthanized.
Morocco
Things look similarly critical in Morocco. In the run-up to the 2030 Soccer World Cup, street dogs should, if possible, disappear from the cityscape. This is why killing operations take place. According to the animal protection organization, the country has repeatedly resorted to cruel, short-term killings to “clean up” the streets before sporting events.
Egypt
In Egypt, too, there are regular campaigns by local authorities to “clear” the streets of dogs. They do this by poisoning or shooting the animals. The goal is to get the streets free of rabid animals. However, there is also a ray of hope: the government has agreed to a 180-day campaign in which numerous animals are to be castrated by 2030.
A street dog in the Al-Zarayib district in Cairo.Image: www.imago-images.de
Pakistan
Rabies is also a big issue in this country. To combat them, the country relies on mass killings with poison.
China
China is the country with the world’s largest dog meat trade. Every year, around ten million dogs are stolen from the streets to be killed for human consumption.
5 better countries for street dogs
India
In India, the situation for street dogs has improved in recent years. Many municipalities now rely on so-called “catch-neuter-release” programs. The animals are caught, castrated and additionally vaccinated. However, this development is not without controversy. It is being examined whether this approach should be restricted in the future. Critics fear that mass accommodation in poor conditions could instead be increasingly used again.
Mexico
Since a constitutional reform in 2024, the protection of animals has been enshrined as a fundamental value in Mexico. This allows the government to enact stricter laws. In addition, animal welfare lessons are being introduced in schools across the country. Although there are still cases of neglect, many people care for street dogs. There are also vaccination and castration programs for ownerless dogs.
Netherlands
The Netherlands was the first country to manage to reduce the number of street dogs to almost zero. This was made possible by a long-term strategy. These include mandatory registration and microchipping, strict laws with high penalties for animal abandonment, and comprehensive neutering programs. The promotion of adoptions and taxes on the purchase of dogs have also contributed to the fact that animal shelters are hardly used to capacity.
Bhutan
Bhutan is influenced by Buddhism, which is why treating animals with respect plays a big role. A program has been launched in the country in which street dogs are caught, neutered, vaccinated and then released again. According to the organization, almost all free-living dogs are now appropriately cared for. Pets are also increasingly being registered and identified.
Thailand
There are many free-roaming dogs in Thailand. However, these are doing comparatively well. Mass killings are largely avoided. Instead, in many places, residents take care of the animals. Many dogs find shelter and food in Buddhist temples. At the same time, authorities and organizations are investing in vaccination and castration programs.
Street dog lies on the stairs in front of the Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi.Image: www.imago-images.de
Castration and vaccination are the focus
The study comes from the animal protection organization Humane World for Animals, which says it supports programs worldwide to improve the living conditions of street animals and pets. The focus is, among other things, on castration and vaccination programs as well as the expansion of veterinary care, especially in structurally weak regions.
A representative of the organization emphasizes that the situation of street dogs depends heavily on cultural and social conditions. In many countries, free-living animals are cared for by parts of the population or are even loosely owned.
At the same time, the evaluation shows: Countries that refrain from killing to contain the population and instead rely on castration, vaccination and subsequent release achieve more stable results in the long term. According to the organization, this approach is considered a more effective and animal-friendly strategy when dealing with street dogs.
Sources used:
- Human Word of Animals, PM is available to the editorial team