OIPA ETS has submitted an official request for clarification to the competent Egyptian authorities regarding a recently documented situation involving free-roaming dogs in Mansoura, Dakahlia Governorate.
Between 17 and 19 August 2026, photographs, videos, public reports and information received from local contacts documented dogs in an open and undeveloped area along the Gamasa–Qalabsho Road, following their reported relocation from urban areas.
The material reviewed by OIPA shows dogs in open terrain, including sandy and rubble-covered areas with very limited visible shelter. Some of the documentation also shows or reports dogs found dead in the area after their reported relocation.
According to local accounts and the conditions documented at the site, the animals appear to have been exposed to severe environmental stress and a lack of essential resources such as reliable access to water, food and adequate shelter. Some reports indicate that dogs attempted to seek relief from the heat by pressing or burying themselves into the loose soil.
While no veterinary examination is currently available to establish the precise medical cause of death in each individual case, the circumstances raise serious concerns that prolonged exposure, dehydration, lack of food and the absence of adequate shelter may have contributed to the deaths of the animals.
At present, the available information does not allow responsibility for the reported relocation operations to be attributed to any specific authority or entity. For this reason, OIPA has asked the competent authorities to provide official clarification regarding the circumstances of the case.
OIPA CONTACTS THE COMPETENT AUTHORITIES
In its official communication, OIPA has requested information on whether relocation operations involving free-roaming dogs from Mansoura to the Gamasa–Qalabsho area have taken place and, if so, how they were organized and implemented.
Among the points raised, OIPA has asked for clarification regarding:
- the authority or entity responsible for ordering and carrying out the reported operations;
- the number of dogs involved and the locations to which they were transferred;
- whether veterinary professionals were involved;
- whether the animals were examined, vaccinated, sterilized or identified before relocation;
- the availability of water, food, shade, shelter and veterinary monitoring at the destination;
- reports concerning dogs subsequently found dead or in distress;
- the legal, veterinary and administrative framework under which the reported operations were carried out.
OIPA has also asked the authorities to verify the conditions in the identified area and to ensure that any animals currently in need receive appropriate assistance.
FREE-ROAMING DOG MANAGEMENT IN EGYPT
The situation in Mansoura comes at a time when Egypt has been developing measures aimed at improving the management of free-roaming dog populations.
Publicly announced approaches have included vaccination, sterilization, rabies prevention and organized population management, with the aim of addressing both public-health considerations and animal welfare.
In July 2026, the Veterinary Directorate of Dakahlia also announced a vaccination and sterilization campaign for free-roaming dogs in the Governorate, including Mansoura.
In light of these developments, OIPA has asked the competent authorities to clarify how the reported events in the Gamasa–Qalabsho area relate to the wider approach currently being implemented for the management of free-roaming dogs.
OIPA CALLS FOR CLARITY AND PROMPT ACTION
The material received from Mansoura raises important questions about the conditions in which free-roaming dogs are captured, transported and released, and about the safeguards put in place to protect their welfare after relocation.
OIPA remains confident that the competent Egyptian authorities will be able to clarify the circumstances of the case and provide information on the measures already adopted or planned.
The organization also considers it important that the situation be assessed promptly, particularly in light of reports that animals may still be present in areas where adequate access to water, food, shade and veterinary assistance cannot be guaranteed.
The case is attracting attention beyond the local context, making a clear and transparent assessment of the reported circumstances particularly important.
OIPA remains available for constructive dialogue with the Egyptian authorities and for cooperation aimed at supporting humane, sustainable and science-based management of free-roaming dog populations.
Further updates will be provided as additional verified information becomes available.
