ISTANBUL: Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Istanbul on Sunday to oppose a new law aimed at addressing the issue of stray dogs in Turkey. Animal rights activists fear the legislation could lead to mass culling and the creation of overcrowded, unsanitary shelters.
Passed last month, the law mandates the removal of millions of stray dogs from Turkish streets, citing public safety concerns. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan defended the law as necessary for managing the country’s stray dog population.
Protesters, carrying signs that read “Shelters are death camps” and “Withdraw the bloody law,” argued that the legislation could result in widespread euthanasia or poor conditions in shelters. “We want this law to be withdrawn immediately,” said Hasan Kizilyatak, 64. “They (stray dogs) are living beings, just like us. We are here because we are against them being annihilated.”
The Republican People’s Party, Turkey’s main opposition party, has challenged the law in the Constitutional Court, seeking its repeal shortly after its enactment.
Government estimates suggest there are around 4 million stray dogs in Turkey. While most are non-threatening, there have been reports of attacks, including 65 deaths since 2022, according to the Safe Streets and Defense of the Right to Life Association.
Under the new law, municipalities are required to collect stray dogs, house them in shelters, and ensure they are vaccinated, neutered, and spayed before adoption. Dogs deemed terminally ill or a health risk will be euthanized.
Critics question how financially strained municipalities will manage the additional shelter requirements and express concerns that some may resort to killing dogs to avoid the costs of proper care. Videos on social media have shown dead animals buried in ditches, with activists alleging these deaths occurred following the law’s passage. Initial provisions for stray cats were removed from the bill after public backlash.
