To:

His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan

The Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

The Minister of Agriculture

The Minister of Local Administration

The Minister of Environment

All Governors and Mayors of the Kingdom

We, the undersigned—concerned global citizens, animal lovers, and supporters of Jordan's progress from over 100 countries—write with deep respect for Jordan's sovereignty, cultural values, and the ingenuity of its people. As admirers of Jordan's warmth, resilience, and leadership in the region, we are troubled by reports of the ongoing use of cruel methods—such as poisoning with strychnine, shooting, and beating—to address street dogs. These practices cause unnecessary suffering and, as local experts have shown, fail to solve the underlying challenges.

We recognize that public officials face real pressures, and discussions around street dogs often arise amid broader concerns like public health and resource strains. However, exaggerated claims—such as the recent statement by the Minister of Local Administration citing over one million dogs nationwide, or prior estimates of 200,000 in Irbid alone—have fueled fear without evidence, diverting attention from vital services like waste management and economic support. These numbers do not align with rigorous, Jordanian-led research.

Earlier this year, Jordanian researchers published the country's first scientific assessment of the stray dog population: "Toward Objective Assessment of the Stray Dog Problem in Jordan" (Athamneh et al., Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 2025; available at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40326022/ This groundbreaking study, based on surveys in Irbid from 2021–2023, reveals a decreasing trend in dog numbers (average 3.55 dogs per km, lower than many comparable countries) and estimates just 5,000 street dogs in Irbid—far below prior inflated figures. Nationally, evidence suggests 30,000–60,000 dogs, a manageable scale that can be addressed through smart, homegrown strategies tailored to Jordan's unique social and economic context.

The study also analyzed media coverage from 2010–2022, finding a 391% surge in articles in 2022, with 85% expressing negative attitudes and correlating with increased calls for violence—often amid misinformation. Jordan Ministry of Health data further shows human rabies is rare (only 11 cases since 2005) and animal bite incidence has decreased significantly over the last decade (average 42.1 per 100,000 population, trending lower). This evidence indicates the perceived threat to public safety is overstated, yet the cruelty persists, harming animals, communities, and Jordan's image.

Jordan has a proud history of innovative, community-driven solutions—from water conservation to youth empowerment. We respectfully urge the Government of Jordan to seize this opportunity and lead regionally by:

1. Immediately suspending all poisoning, shooting, and other inhumane culling methods to prevent further cruelty and public health risks (e.g., contaminated carcasses near homes and schools).
2. Launching a national task force of Jordanian experts, veterinarians, municipalities, and community leaders to develop and implement a culturally appropriate strategy—drawing on local data like the above study, while adapting global best practices (such as community-based sterilization and vaccination) to fit Jordan's realities, without reliance on foreign aid.
3. Investing in sustainable, cost-effective programs like targeted neutering, public awareness on responsible ownership, and partnerships with Jordanian NGOs to reduce overpopulation humanely and affordably.
4. Adopting a One Health approach to improve welfare for both humans and animals, addressing root causes like waste management and zoonotic disease surveillance.

This is not about external interference but empowering Jordan to set a compassionate example. By prioritizing evidence over exaggeration, Jordan can protect its people, preserve its welcoming image for tourists and investors, and foster trust in governance—turning a perceived crisis into a story of progress.

We stand ready to support through awareness and advocacy, but we implore: Let Jordan's solutions shine on the world stage. End the cruelty today. Choose humanity, evidence, and Jordanian innovation.

With admiration and solidarity,

Al-Yarmouk, Bridges of Trust Corp.  and the undersigned from around the world