ISTANBUL (AP) — On Sunday, thousands of people gathered in Istanbul to voice their opposition to a recently passed law that many believe will lead to the killing of stray dogs across Turkey.
Last month, lawmakers approved a new law aimed at removing millions of stray dogs from Turkey’s streets, citing concerns for public safety. However, animal advocates worry that this could result in widespread euthanasia of the dogs or their abandonment in crowded, unhealthy shelters.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that the law is necessary to address what he calls the country’s “stray dog problem.”
During the protest on Sunday, demonstrators held signs with phrases like ‘shelters are death camps’ and ‘repeal the bloody law,’ demanding the law’s reversal.
“We want this law to be revoked immediately,” said Hasan Kizilyatak, a 64-year-old protester. “Stray dogs are living beings, just like us. We are here to oppose their extermination.”
Ayten Arslan, a 55-year-old woman who supports Erdogan, also participated in the protest. She stated, “Just as we stood by our president during the coup attempt on July 15 (2016), we are here for the stray animals. As an AK Party supporter, I believe this law is a bloody one.”
The main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party, is seeking to have the law overturned in the Constitutional Court, just weeks after it was enacted.
The government estimates that approximately 4 million stray dogs live on Turkey’s streets and in rural areas. While most of these dogs are not harmful, there have been reports of attacks, including incidents involving children.
According to a report from the Safe Streets and Defense of the Right to Life Association, an organization advocating for the removal of all stray dogs, there have been 65 fatalities due to dog attacks since 2022.
The new law mandates that municipalities must capture stray dogs, bring them into shelters, and ensure they are vaccinated, neutered, and spayed before being put up for adoption. However, dogs that are gravely ill, in severe pain, or pose a health threat to humans will be euthanized. Originally, the draft included provisions for cats, but this was changed after public backlash.
Despite these requirements, many people are concerned about how financially strapped municipalities will manage to fund the construction of additional shelters needed for this initiative.
Animal rights activists fear that some municipalities may wrongfully euthanize dogs by claiming they are sick, rather than investing resources into proper sheltering.
Recently, videos have emerged on social media showing deceased cats and dogs buried in mass graves. Animal advocates allege that many of these animals were killed indiscriminately following the law’s implementation.
