Mislabeled footage of a dog shelter in Iraq erroneously identified as one in India emerges following India's Supreme Court ruling on stray dogs.

In a recent turn of events, a viral video showing a large number of stray dogs in a desert-like area has been circulating on the internet, sparking concerns and misconceptions about the ongoing issue of dog relocation, particularly in India. However, it has been confirmed that the video does not originate from India but from Erbil, Iraq.

The viral video, uploaded on Instagram by the pet-friendly channel "givemeurvoice" on 10 March 2025, depicts a scene that has raised eyebrows worldwide. But, contrary to popular belief, this video does not show stray dogs being relocated in India following the Supreme Court order.

In fact, Erbil, Iraq, has been the location of the video all along. The government shelter in Erbil provides food, water, and care for stray dogs, and around 80 dogs are captured daily, according to Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw. A side-by-side comparison of the viral video and images from the Iraqi media report shows they were filmed at the same location in Erbil.

The video was described as being from a hidden place outside Erbil where more than 10,000 dogs are reportedly dumped without enough food or medical care. However, the government shelter in Erbil, modeled on a British initiative in Afghanistan, has been working to address this issue.

In a positive development, Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw claimed that around 3,000 stray dogs were collected and moved to the government shelter in Erbil. Despite this, animal rights groups have raised concerns about neglect in government-run shelters across the Kurdistan Region.

Meanwhile, in India, no reports indicate that the government has begun relocating stray dogs to shelters following the Supreme Court order issued on 11 August 2025. No specific area has been designated for stray dogs after the Supreme Court order, adding to the ongoing concerns about the welfare of these animals in India.

As the world continues to grapple with the issue of stray dog population management, it is crucial to verify the information we come across and ensure that our understanding of the situation is based on facts, not misconceptions. The viral video from Iraq serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by stray dogs globally and the need for concerted efforts to improve their living conditions.

Mislabeled footage of a dog shelter in Iraq erroneously identified as one in India emerges following India's Supreme Court ruling on stray dogs.