The territory.

  • Dates
    2011 - 2012
  • Author
  • Topics Portrait, Landscape, Daily Life

There were about 100,000 stray dogs living in Kyiv.

There were about 100,000 stray dogs living in Kyiv. They created a parallel society with its own structure and territories, leaders and soldiers and outlaws. This society sometimes exists peacefully with the human society, but often it comes into conflict when intruded on by men.

Recently, because of reasons related to the Euro 2012 Kiev and a few more cities became a place of brutal destruction of dogs. They are shot, poisoned, thrown alive into crematoria ovens, killed in various ways. And although the government denied any involvement in the destruction of stray dogs, the magnitude of the action casts doubt on the truth of their statements. Mass destruction of dogs before Euro 2012 and impunity gave rise to Doghunters organization in the cities of Ukraine - cruel sadistic killers of animals. From their ranks often come horrible maniacs preying on people, such as Viktor Sayenko and Igor Suprunyuck who switched from killing dogs to humans, they were arrested and charged with murdering 21 people in 2007.

I shoot portraits of dogs and an area where they live. The dog’s possession, the marking territory. I want people looked closely into the eyes of the dogs, full of wisdom, strength and devotion. But they all disappeared within two or three months.

© Anna Voitenko - Image from the The territory. photography project
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His nickname was Black. He lived on a city cemetery in Kyiv. A guard gave him his nickname. Black was a leader of the pack. He defended his leadership brutally fighting with younger guys. He had a lot of scars and wounds. He respected people. The packs from neighboring territories did no€™t risk coming to Black dog'€™s territory. He was injured by gun. There were about 100,000 stray dogs living in Kyiv. They created a parallel society with its own structure and territories, leaders and soldiers and outlaws. This society sometimes exists peacefully with the human society, but often it comes into conflict when intruded on by men. Recently, because of reasons related to the Euro 2012 Kiev and a few more cities became a place of brutal destruction of dogs. They are shot, poisoned, thrown alive into crematoria ovens, killed in various ways. And although the government denied any involvement in the destruction of stray dogs, the magnitude of the action casts doubt on the truth of their statements. Mass destruction of dogs before Euro 2012 and impunity gave rise to Doghunters organization in the cities of Ukraine - cruel sadistic killers of animals. From their ranks often come horrible maniacs preying on people, such as Viktor Sayenko and Igor Suprunyuck who switched from killing dogs to humans, they were arrested and charged with murdering 21 people in 2007. I shoot portraits of dogs and an area where they live. The dog’s possession, the marking territory. I want people looked closely into the eyes of the dogs, full of wisdom, strength and devotion. But they all disappeared within two or three months.

© Anna Voitenko - The territory near street market where live lots of street dogs. People from the market feed them. Kyiv
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The territory near street market where live lots of street dogs. People from the market feed them. Kyiv

© Anna Voitenko - He had no name. He was always hungry, because he was weak and could not fight for himself. He ate what was rest.
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He had no name. He was always hungry, because he was weak and could not fight for himself. He ate what was rest.

© Anna Voitenko - The territort of the always hungry dog. Kyiv Ukraine
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The territort of the always hungry dog. Kyiv Ukraine

© Anna Voitenko - He had no name. He was living near a metro station. He was not afraid of people.
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He had no name. He was living near a metro station. He was not afraid of people.

© Anna Voitenko - Image from the The territory. photography project
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His nickname was a Football player. He lived on a cemetery. He was not afraid of people. He liked to play with balls and sticks. It looked like he used to have home once but owners left him on the street.

© Anna Voitenko - His nickname was Jack. He was very cheerful and was happy to walk on his hind legs
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His nickname was Jack. He was very cheerful and was happy to walk on his hind legs

© Anna Voitenko - His nickname is Beetle. He lives near Ship repairing Factory.
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His nickname is Beetle. He lives near Ship repairing Factory.

© Anna Voitenko - Puppies live in the territory of Park zone. Winter is a serious test of survival for them.
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Puppies live in the territory of Park zone. Winter is a serious test of survival for them.

© Anna Voitenko - The Muhtar's territory. Park zone. Kyiv.
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The Muhtar's territory. Park zone. Kyiv.

© Anna Voitenko - The dead dog in a garbage bag lying near a bus stop. He was cruelly killed by the "doghunters" in Kiev.
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The dead dog in a garbage bag lying near a bus stop. He was cruelly killed by the "doghunters" in Kiev.

© Anna Voitenko - Image from the The territory. photography project
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Muhtar is the old dog who lives in Kyiv Park zone. Many times he was caught by the city services but each time he escaped and returned to his home to his territory to his pack.

© Anna Voitenko - Image from the The territory. photography project
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Dead dogs that were cruelly killed by doghunters lying on the ground in plastic bags. They were sterilized and safe, people loved and fed them.

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