Georgia’s Dogs Are Disappearing
In Tbilisi, Georgia, street dogs known as 'yard dogs' have been disappearing since March, causing concern among local residents. The government has initiated a program to manage the stray dog population, which includes capturing and treating these animals. However, activists criticize the lack of transparency and the potential for harm to the dogs, leading to public distrust in government actions.
- ▪Street dogs in Tbilisi are disappearing, prompting community concern and searches for answers.
- ▪The government program aims to capture, neuter, and vaccinate around 36,000 dogs, but has faced criticism for its execution.
- ▪Activists allege that the program's restrictions may lead to the suffering of returned dogs, while officials deny accusations of euthanasia.
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Analysis Georgia’s Dogs Are Disappearing A botched government program has become a PR disaster. By Ani Chkhikvadze, a Georgian reporter based in Washington. Street dogs rest in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi. Street dogs rest in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi on Nov. 16, 2025. Vano Shlamov/AFP via Getty Images Politics Human Rights May 21, 2026, 3:44 PM On any given morning in Tbilisi, capital of the South Caucasian country of Georgia, a visitor will find dogs dozing on park benches, sprawled across the steps of medieval churches, and on street corners. These are the “yard dogs” fed by locals and identifiable by yellow municipal tags clipped to their ears. They are part of the community. But since March, the dogs have been vanishing.
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