Controversial New Legislation in Turkey Regarding the Control of Street Dogs Sparks Outcry
Controversial Measures to Control Turkey's Stray Dog Population
A new law in Türkiye aims to address the issue of millions of stray dogs roaming the streets, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan submitting a bill to parliament to control the population. The bill, expected to pass due to his party's majority, outlines plans for the capture, vaccination, sterilisation, and adoption of stray dogs, with euthanasia permitted under certain conditions.
The law, enacted in July 2024, has been met with controversy, particularly due to the euthanasia provision. Critics, including major animal rights groups, have raised concerns about the treatment of dogs in shelters and potential mass euthanasia. This has led to nationwide protests and calls for more humane, community-oriented solutions.
The law requires municipalities to remove millions of stray dogs from urban streets, vaccinate and sterilise them before placing them for adoption. Euthanasia is authorised strictly for animals deemed a threat or too ill for recovery. The law aims to address public health risks such as rabies.
Despite initial financial and operational challenges, efforts are underway to improve the system of shelters and monitoring. Similar strategies combining sterilisation, vaccination, and adoption programs have shown success in other countries and cities, lowering stray populations humanely.
Animal rights groups argue that if these regulations were implemented properly, they would be enough to control the stray dog population in Türkiye. They call for more compassionate, community-oriented solutions, focusing on sterilisation, vaccination, and managed coexistence rather than removal and killing.
In light of the concerns raised, local municipalities are expected to improve the conditions in their shelters. The revised plans for the bill include neutering or spaying stray dogs and euthanising those at risk of rabies, aggressive, or unable to be rehabilitated.
The issue of stray dogs is not unique to Türkiye, with millions of stray dogs and cats in the US and millions more worldwide. The UK has even issued a stray dog warning for tourists heading to Türkiye, advising that stray dogs can form packs and be aggressive.
In response to a series of attacks, including one that severely injured a child in Ankara earlier this year, the government of Türkiye has promised to take action. According to Euronews, dogs at risk of rabies and those displaying aggressive behavior would be euthanized. However, no specific information about the revised plans for the bill or the conditions in local shelters has been provided.
[1] Euronews (2024). Turkey's new law on stray dogs sparks controversy. [online] Available at: https://www.euronews.com/2024/07/01/turkey-s-new-law-on-stray-dogs-sparks-controversy
[2] The Guardian (2024). Animal rights groups protest against Turkey's new stray dog law. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jul/01/animal-rights-groups-protest-against-turkeys-new-stray-dog-law
[3] Al Jazeera (2024). Turkey's 'Massacre Law' sparks outrage over stray dog euthanasia. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/07/01/turkeys-massacre-law-sparks-outrage-over-stray-dog-euthanasia
[4] The Washington Post (2024). Turkey's new law on stray dogs: A humane solution or a step too far? [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/07/01/turkeys-new-law-on-stray-dogs-a-humane-solution-or-a-step-too-far/
[5] BBC News (2024). Turkey's stray dog problem: A look at the numbers. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61158210
- The controversial law in Türkiye about stray dogs is not just a local issue; millions of stray dogs and cats can be found in homes across the United States, as well as in countless other countries worldwide.
- animal rights activists advocate for community-oriented solutions, such as sterilization, vaccination, and managed coexistence, rather than euthanasia and removal, even suggesting that these strategies could control the stray dog population in Türkiye.
- Dog shelters in local municipalities are under scrutiny, with concerns about the treatment of dogs, potential mass euthanasia, and the need for more humane conditions for both pets and victims of the stray pet issue.
- Despite the initial financial and operational challenges, efforts are being made to improve the system of shelters and monitoring adoptive programs for stray dogs, following successful examples from various cities and countries.
