Officials in the capital of Kyrgyzstan say budgetary constraints are forcing them to shoot the city's estimated 10,000 stray dogs rather than build shelters for them.

Bishkek city hall spokesman Pavel Klimenko told The Associated Press on Tuesday that around 5,000 strays were shot last year because the impoverished Central Asian nation couldn't afford kennels that would have cost $300,000.

He said the dogs this year are being killed in the early morning and in the evening by a team of 10 shooters and dog catchers.

Klimenko urged the world not to consider the act barbaric.