The growing number of stray dogs and cats on the streets of Jordan poses an increasing risk to public health, quality of life, and public safety. Incidents of dog bites among schoolchildren are rising, alongside the spread of zoonotic diseases, while national legislation prohibits the culling of these animals. Islam, which strongly influences citizens’ perceptions and interactions with animals, emphasizes compassion towards them, creating significant ethical dilemmas.
Public frustration has led to cases of animal poisoning, prompting the Grand Mufti to issue a fatwa permitting the sterilization of aggressive animals. Although Islamic teachings uphold animals’ right to reproduce, distinctions are made between minor and major sins. Various sectors are currently working to expand the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program and are considering the establishment of a dedicated sanctuary for stray animals.
Introduction
The history of the dog reflects a long process of co-evolution with humans, characterized by continuous development, adaptation, and migration over thousands of years. Archaeological findings, including bones with gnaw marks from the Middle East and the Mediterranean, dated to approximately 14,000 years ago, indicate that the dog is the oldest domesticated animal. Certain species lived in human temples and were provided with generous meals, whereas cats were domesticated much later, around 10,000 years ago.
In Mesopotamia, hunting dogs were considered a status symbol and were employed in hunting and warfare. Some dogs even held religious roles, such as those associated with the goddess Gula in the temple of Ninisina. Throughout history, the role of dogs has evolved—from hunting and protection to companionship and labor in livestock farming and agriculture.
One example is the Canaan dog, also known as the Bedouin Sheepdog, which constitutes most dogs in Jordan. These dogs were renowned for their intelligence and were used in ancient societies as guard dogs, barking whenever Roman forces approached the region, thereby preventing invasions. Today, many specially trained breeds serve as loyal and diligent partners to law enforcement, assisting in narcotics detection, anti-smuggling operations, and search-and-rescue missions.
Cats (Felis catus) trace their origins to the Middle East as human companions in the fight against pests. However, their predatory nature has contributed to the extinction and decline of other species over time, as well as the spread of diseases such as toxoplasmosis, feline leukemia, and rabies. Despite being among humanity’s closest companions, dogs and cats still pose significant health risks.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 55,000 people die annually from rabies transmitted through dog bites, primarily from the estimated 200 million stray dogs worldwide. About 95% of these cases occur in Africa and Asia. Furthermore, the Middle Eastern climate facilitates the spread of diseases such as rabies, echinococcosis, and leishmaniasis, placing additional strain on healthcare systems.
Problem Description
Amman is home to approximately 200,000 stray dogs, in addition to an unknown number of cats. Stray dogs pose a direct threat to humans, particularly schoolchildren, through dog bites, while cats primarily contribute to disease transmission. Hospitals recorded 14,500 patients treated for dog bites in 2024 and 2025, a sharp increase compared to the previous year’s 7,000 cases. Cats also present an indirect risk by causing traffic accidents and spreading infectious diseases as they roam urban areas in search of shelter and food.
Although Jordanian legislation prohibits animal culling, cases of poisoning and other forms of cruelty have been reported, driven by public frustration and attempts to reduce animal populations. Following a fatal incident in which a schoolchild died from a dog attack, the Grand Mufti issued a fatwa permitting the shooting of aggressive dogs that pose a threat to human life. This ruling was misinterpreted as a general license to kill dogs, even those that posed no threat, which was not the intended directive.
To halt the shootings, the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) introduced a dog sterilization program in 2017. Dogs were captured, vaccinated, sterilized by veterinarians, and tagged before being released back onto the streets. The program was implemented following the Grand Mufti’s guidance on Islamic permissibility. Generally, sterilization is considered sinful in Islam, as it alters the natural state of animals created by God and denies them the right to reproduce, which is part of life’s natural order. However, the fatwa weighed societal concerns and child safety against the rapid reproduction of stray dogs, their right to life, and Jordanian law.
Humans, created by God with higher consciousness and stewardship over nature and animals, bear the responsibility of finding sustainable solutions that embody compassion and dignity toward animals. Verse 6:39 of the Qur’an emphasizes coexistence between animal societies and humans:
“There is no creature on earth nor bird that flies with its wings but they are communities like you; We have not neglected anything in Our decision.”
Islam establishes a clear barrier against unethical treatment of animals, including cruelty or killing. A well-known hadith recounts the man who entered paradise for quenching the thirst of a dog as thirsty as himself. Another hadith describes a woman condemned to hell for imprisoning a cat without feeding it or allowing it to seek food on its own.
Impact of Cats on the Ecosystem
The population of cats in Jordanian urban environments is also increasing. Unlike dogs, which pose a direct threat to humans, cats present both an indirect threat to ecosystems and a direct threat as disease vectors. Cats can cause up to 95% of bird populations to relocate out of fear. They act as ecologically disruptive agents, eliminating small species, many of which are vital to ecosystem stability.
At the same time, cats serve as a tool for ecological research on biodiversity in the country. By analyzing the species cats prey upon, researchers can identify indicator species that would otherwise be difficult to detect. Examples include bats and shrews, which signal pollution and habitat changes. Shrews improve soil quality by burrowing for insect prey, while bats play a crucial role in pest control, pollination, and seed dispersal. Cats often hunt at night, when prey is less active and easier to capture.
Studies indicate that cats kill millions of small species globally. They have caused the extinction of at least 63 species, including 40 birds, 21 mammals, and 2 reptiles. Currently, they threaten approximately 367 species and are ranked as the world’s third most harmful invasive species, after chytrid fungus and rats. Their ability to eradicate species is particularly effective on islands but also significant in already disturbed mainland ecosystems.
When dogs attack or bite humans, the behavior is typically instinct-driven. Most stray dogs are not socialized and are unfamiliar with the loud noises, shouting, and playful running of schoolchildren within their perceived territory. Such stimuli can be overwhelming and misinterpreted as a lack of respect or an intrusion into their personal space, which constitutes a significant trigger for aggression.
Many stray dogs prefer solitude and avoid human interaction. They generally attack when experiencing fear or stress. When a dog bites a child, it often employs the same body language it uses with its own puppies. The dog’s perception of the level of disturbance determines the severity of the attack. For instance, when a dog wishes to correct its pup, it bites the face—a method it may replicate with a human child, even though this can result in severe injuries.
In cases of more serious bites, the behavior usually indicates heightened irritation, where the dog’s intent shifts from signaling to causing harm. Conversely, minor irritation may lead to air-snapping in front of the person as a warning. Understanding these behavioral cues is essential for reducing the risk of potential attacks when encountering stray dogs in urban environments.
Conclusion
Given that Islamic law prohibits the culling of animals, a sustainable solution to the stray animal problem in Jordan requires effective collaboration among various sectors and authorities, with strong consideration of religious, humanitarian, and ethical dimensions. Continued implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) method—commonly referred to as trap-neuter-return—is central to this approach.
Economic and technological constraints influence the feasibility and scope of sterilization programs. A cost-benefit analysis can help weigh the advantages of such initiatives against their financial and logistical challenges. The rapid reproduction of stray dogs, coupled with their potential for biting, and the role of cats in spreading public health risks, damaging agriculture and forestry, and contributing to species extinction, strongly indicate that sterilization is a cost-effective measure.
To enhance program efficiency, more veterinarians must be trained in sterilization techniques, which could be achieved by integrating such training into university curricula. Plans to establish designated areas for stray animals are underway but remain limited by economic factors. Public awareness campaigns—such as posters discouraging the feeding of stray animals—are also necessary, as feeding contributes to increased reproduction in urban settings.
The issue is further compounded by the large daily volume of waste that sustains stray populations and accelerates their growth. Therefore, a multifaceted approach is essential for addressing this ethical dilemma. Such measures would improve citizens’ quality of life, reduce disease transmission, and help preserve vulnerable species within the ecosystem.
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