Did a Dog Really Start a War?

In October 1925, tensions between Greece and Bulgaria were already high.

Then, an unexpected incident occurred—a Greek soldier chased his stray dog across the border into Bulgaria.

In the confusion, Bulgarian border guards shot the soldier, sparking outrage in Greece.

What followed was an armed response that would go down in history as the War of the Stray

Dog.

Greece, furious over the killing of their soldier, launched an invasion into Bulgarian territory.

Greek troops occupied several villages, demanding justice.

Bulgaria, instead of retaliating militarily, appealed to the League of Nations.

The world watched as a minor border incident threatened to spiral into a larger conflict.

Could diplomacy prevent further bloodshed?

The League of Nations quickly intervened, demanding Greece withdraw and imposing a ceasefire.

Under international pressure, Greece agreed to pull back its troops.

The League ruled in Bulgaria’s favor, ordering Greece to pay compensation.

What started as a simple chase of a stray dog had now become a case study in international

diplomacy and conflict resolution.

The War of the Stray Dog remains one of history’s strangest conflicts.

A single dog’s actions led to military mobilization, diplomatic intervention, and a lesson in international relations.

It’s a reminder of how even the smallest incidents can escalate into major events.

What other bizarre moments in history do you know?