Georgia is launching a state programme aimed at addressing the country’s stray dog problem, according to parliamentary majority leader Mamuka Mdinaradze.

Speaking at a briefing following a majority meeting, Mdinaradze said the number of stray dogs across Georgia ranges between 300,000 and 350,000.

“We are beginning a state programme to place these animals in appropriate facilities and implement procedures that will prevent the reproduction of stray dogs,” Mdinaradze announced. “We will also develop an electronic programme and adopt regulatory legislation that will make it easier to trace dog ownership.”

The problem worsened during the pandemic, Mdinaradze explained, as many people abandoned their pets outside their homes in various locations.

Under the proposed measures, pet owners will be required to ensure their animals can be identified through microchipping and that ownership can be traced. Abandoning dogs will be punishable by substantial administrative fines.

“We are trying to create legislation that will make it impossible to simply abandon animals outside so easily,” Mdinaradze said. “For example, abandoning a dog will be punishable by high administrative fines.”

He acknowledged that the initiative would require a long-term commitment: “This is not a one-day, one-month or short-term procedure – it needs years, but we are beginning intensive work on this issue.”