British shelter saving dogs from Iranian missiles could have to place down 700 animals | News World

A British-run dog shelter in Iraq is facing euthanising 700 animals as the federal government orders them to pack up and move.

War Paws in Erbil, within the north of the country, cares for 130 stray dogs contained in the shelter partitions and around 700 on the surface.

Staff have battled through extreme heat, no power or running water, and now watch as drones are intercepted above them.

CEO Louise Hastie, 53, told Metro: ‘We have now had nine of 10 explosions above us just this morning.’

Iraq is the one country to have its airspace completely closed because the US and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury on February 28.

This has left staff, who alternate time spent within the UK and Iraq, stranded on the shelter, with no flights coming or going.

Louise said: ‘What began as a two-week trip has become a five-week stay. But even when I used to be capable of leave, I couldn’t face leaving my team and the dogs.’

The shelter has been running since 2018, spaying and neutering tons of of animals, including donkeys and cats, while providing shelter from the acute heat and regular food.

But now the Iraqi government has told them they need the land for ‘warehouses’. It’s unclear what they shall be used for.

It should cost the shelter USD$300,000 to maneuver and rebuild from scratch, which equals their average yearly running cost.

‘We have now been here for six years, we logistically cannot move,’ Louise said.

‘If we’re forced to, we’re taking a look at having to place down 700 dogs as they’re unable to live as strays in the world.’

Louise, originally from Wednesbury within the West Midlands, arrived on the shelter, which was originally arrange by two local women, and was shocked at what she saw.

She said there was no shade, no water, and scorpions covering the bottom.

‘It broke me walking through for the primary time,’ she said. ‘Dogs dropped dead at my feet as I walked past them.’

With the assistance of her team, she managed to establish a vet clinic to neuter the animals, bring water tanks, and even construct swimming pools to guard the dogs from the acute heat.

But when forced to depart, the animals is not going to have the option to survive on their very own.

‘We’re taking a look at a situation where they may likely starve to death,’ Louose said. ‘So it will be kinder to place them down.’

Before the shelter existed, the animals would survive on spare meat dumped by butchers on the landfill site nearby.

This has since also been taken over by warehouses.

Louise said: ‘I’m at my wits’ end, and it’s only going to worsen. People’s donation habits have modified ever because the cost-of-living crisis as well meaning we don’t get as much as we used to.

‘But we won’t hand over. We’re here for a reason.’

You’ll be able to donate to the shelter here.

Get in contact with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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