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Photos of pets and farm animals rescued from the war in southern Lebanon

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Photos of pets and farm animals rescued from the war in southern Lebanon
News

News

Photos of pets and farm animals rescued from the war in southern Lebanon

2026-07-03 21:16 Last Updated At:21:21

KFAROUE, Lebanon (AP) — Hussein Hamza is caring for abandoned animals in Kfaroue, southern Lebanon, as the Israel-Hezbollah war rages on. Many residents have fled, leaving pets and farm animals behind. Some owners have been killed in airstrikes.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

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Hussein Hamza, feeds pets left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, feeds pets left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Bashar Hilal, 10, carries a puppy at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Bashar Hilal, 10, carries a puppy at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, who cares for pets left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, checks on a camel at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, who cares for pets left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, checks on a camel at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Lucy, a dog left behind by her owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, licks the face of Bashar Hilal, 10, at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Lucy, a dog left behind by her owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, licks the face of Bashar Hilal, 10, at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, treats an injured dog left behind his owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, treats an injured dog left behind his owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, carries a dog missing a limb, and left behind by his owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, carries a dog missing a limb, and left behind by his owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, feeds dogs left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, feeds dogs left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Bashar Hilal, 10, sits among dogs left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Bashar Hilal, 10, sits among dogs left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, right, feeds dogs left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, right, feeds dogs left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Puppies left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, drink water at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Puppies left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, drink water at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Abbas Shoeib, leads a dog he's adopting after his owners were killed in an Israeli airstrike, at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Abbas Shoeib, leads a dog he's adopting after his owners were killed in an Israeli airstrike, at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Bashar Hilal, 10, plays with dogs left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Bashar Hilal, 10, plays with dogs left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, feeds pets left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, feeds pets left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Bashar Hilal, 10, carries a puppy at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Bashar Hilal, 10, carries a puppy at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, who cares for pets left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, checks on a camel at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, who cares for pets left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, checks on a camel at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Lucy, a dog left behind by her owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, licks the face of Bashar Hilal, 10, at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Lucy, a dog left behind by her owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, licks the face of Bashar Hilal, 10, at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, treats an injured dog left behind his owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, treats an injured dog left behind his owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, carries a dog missing a limb, and left behind by his owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, carries a dog missing a limb, and left behind by his owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, feeds dogs left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, feeds dogs left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Bashar Hilal, 10, sits among dogs left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Bashar Hilal, 10, sits among dogs left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, right, feeds dogs left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hussein Hamza, right, feeds dogs left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at his animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Puppies left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, drink water at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Puppies left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, drink water at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Abbas Shoeib, leads a dog he's adopting after his owners were killed in an Israeli airstrike, at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Abbas Shoeib, leads a dog he's adopting after his owners were killed in an Israeli airstrike, at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Bashar Hilal, 10, plays with dogs left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Bashar Hilal, 10, plays with dogs left behind by their owners after they fled following the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, at an animal shelter in the village of Kfaroue, near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Thirteen Argentina followers are roaming the streets of Buenos Aires proudly sporting their team's jersey — but they're not on two legs, they're on all fours, letting out the occasional bark.

As Argentina rides World Cup fever and dreams of beating Cape Verde in the round of 32 on Friday, a dog walker has added his pack to the local fanbase.

Nahuel Meneghini, 33, walks the streets of the capital’s city center with the dogs wearing the team’s jerseys, leashes and collars in support of Lionel Messi ’s squad.

“I did it out of love for them and for Argentina. And for the World Cup,” said Meneghini— known as “Nano” — while speaking to The Associated Press on Thursday during a walk with the canine group.

The dog walker, also dressed head-to-toe like a fan, skilfully managed all the leashes, guiding the dogs along the narrow sidewalks of the capital’s San Cristóbal neighborhood.

As they passed, smiles lit up the faces of onlookers who pulled out their phones to snap pictures. “Let’s go, Argentina!” a woman shouted.

“These are the only joys we have because nothing ever goes our way, not for workers or retirees. Everything is against us,” said 80-year-old Edgardo Pérez, who was taking photos of the group known on social media as “La Perroneta.”

The name alludes to “La Scaloneta,” the nickname of the national team aiming to retain its title at the World Cup under coach Lionel Scaloni.

Scaloni is admired in Argentina following the team’s triumphs at the World Cup and the Finalissima in 2022, as well as the 2021 Copa América.

Meneghini developed the idea of ​​dressing the dogs in Argentina colors last week as it advanced from the group stage.

Two of the dogs he regularly walks, Sirio and Roberta, were wearing jerseys featuring Messi’s No. 10. Their owners bought them after catching World Cup fever.

Meneghini loved the idea and decided to dress the rest of the dogs the same way. He stopped by a pet store and picked up jerseys in various sizes. The owners readily accepted the outfits.

The same went for the collars and leashes he crafted in light blue and white. He added three rivets to the leashes — one for each of Argentina’s World Cup titles in 1978, 1986 and 2022 — while hanging tags reading “Los perros de Nano” (Nano’s Dogs) from the collars.

Meneghini offers the pet owners a good price for all the items. Other people in the neighborhood have started placing orders for their own pets.

The dogs and their walker cover around 60 blocks almost every day and have become local celebrities and social media stars.

“Now that is patriotism," the 73-year-old Dora Maisano said as she watched the group pass by. "Not just peeing and pooping. Everyone wearing the No. 10. Well done, congratulations — they look so cute!”

The pack will continue to wear the national colors “forever,” even if Argentina is eliminated from the competition, Meneghini said. “But I have faith that we’ll win a fourth cup. After the fourth one, I’ll add another rivet to the leashes.”

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

Dog walker Nahuel Meneghini walks dogs dressed in jerseys of the Argentine national soccer team in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Dog walker Nahuel Meneghini walks dogs dressed in jerseys of the Argentine national soccer team in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Dog walker Nahuel Meneghini walks dogs dressed in jerseys of the Argentine national soccer team in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Dog walker Nahuel Meneghini walks dogs dressed in jerseys of the Argentine national soccer team in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Dog walker Nahuel Meneghini walks dogs dressed in jerseys of the Argentine national soccer team in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Dog walker Nahuel Meneghini walks dogs dressed in jerseys of the Argentine national soccer team in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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