The Turkish government has approved provisions allowing the culling of sick or aggressive stray dogs that pose threats to people and other animals.
On July 29, the Turkish Parliament passed a proposal for the culling of a portion of the 4 million stray dogs, a measure that opponents argue could lead to a large-scale slaughter of animals, according to AFP. This controversial provision is part of a draft law determining the fate of stray dogs, which mandates the euthanasia of dogs that are sick or show aggressive behavior. The remainder of the legislation is currently under debate and is expected to be enacted in the coming days.
A stray dog in front of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul. (Photo: Al-Monitor).
The Turkish government stated that the euthanasia provision is necessary to prevent dog attacks and the spread of rabies. They claimed that other homeless dogs would be rounded up and taken to animal rescue centers for potential adoption. Critics of the plan argue that relying on shelters and adopters is impractical due to the overwhelming number of stray dogs. Animal rights advocates are concerned that this draft law is a cover for a large-scale slaughter, despite government denials. Instead, they support a campaign for mass sterilization.
Lawmakers began examining the 17-article draft law on July 28, as dissenting representatives protested the measure by wearing white gloves with fake blood stains. The debate has drawn parallels to a tragedy in 1910 when the Ottoman authorities rounded up approximately 60,000 stray dogs in Istanbul and transported them to a deserted island in the Sea of Marmara, where the dogs were left without food and resorted to cannibalism.
Before the debate, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan remarked that Turkey faces a situation “unlike any civilized nation” and that the number of stray dogs “is increasing exponentially.” With the conservative AKP party and its allies holding a majority in Parliament, Erdogan emphasized that the public desires “safe streets.” The opposition Republican People’s Party controls Istanbul and other major cities and has stated that their mayors will not enforce the law if passed by Parliament. Protests have been ongoing for several weeks, including inside Parliament.
The euthanasia provision approved on July 29 stipulates that stray dogs will be killed if they “pose a threat to the life or health of people and animals, display uncontrollable negative behavior, are infected with contagious diseases or incurable illnesses, or are barred from adoption.” The government indicated that mayors who refuse to enforce the law may face imprisonment.
