In a controversial move that has ignited widespread outrage among animal rights activists, Turkey has passed a law that could result in the death of millions of stray dogs.
The legislation, approved in the early hours of the morning on Tuesday, has been met with fierce opposition from animal rescuers and advocates who have been tirelessly campaigning against it.
“The law that can cause the death of millions of stray dogs was accepted at 03:52,” animal rescuer Sarper Duman, who has over 1 million followers, said on the social media platform Instagram.
“We have held dozens of protests for days, collected hundreds of thousands of signatures, and written letters to deputies and the president, but they did not care about any of them,” he added.
Duman, who has been a vocal advocate for animal rights in Turkey, expressed his deep frustration and sorrow over the new law. “I have tried to explain for years that what is shown in documentaries does not reflect the truth. Animals are not valued as they are told in Turkey. For years, those who kill and rape animals have not been punished.”
Sterilizing stray dogs
According to the current law, which has been in effect for the past 20 years, the state and municipalities were responsible for regularly sterilizing stray dogs to control their population.
However, Duman argues that the government has failed to fulfill its duties, leading to an increase in the stray dog population.
“They made this law using some aggressive dogs as an excuse. But with this law, they will also collect millions of non-aggressive dogs, and they have started to collect them. Do not believe those who say ‘They will not kill’.”
With the government planning to catch and shelter four million stray dogs, there are concerns that the shelters will become overcrowded and unable to accommodate the influx.
“Since there are no shelters with this capacity, they will kill many of them,” Duman warned. “And if you saw how bad the shelters in Turkey are, you would lose sleep…”
Animal advocates devastated
The passing of this law has left many animal lovers in Turkey devastated. “As animal lovers in Turkey, I cannot tell you how upset we have been for days, how much we have struggled, how much we have cried,” Duman shared. “And what upsets me the most is that the representatives of the political party that prepared and accepted this law are taking pictures smiling as if they are celebrating this law… And we cannot respond. Because they have the power.”
Despite the risks, Duman vows to continue his fight for animal rights. “Maybe I will face punishment for writing this, I do not know. I can’t describe how sad I am. I have never been as sad as now.”
The new law has sparked a heated debate about animal welfare in Turkey, with many calling for its repeal and demanding better solutions for managing the stray dog population.
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