Massive Protests Erupt in Istanbul Over Controversial Stray Dog Legislation
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Istanbul on Sunday, rallying against a new law that critics argue could lead to the widespread culling of stray dogs across Turkey. The legislation, passed last month, aims to address public safety concerns by removing millions of stray dogs from the streets. However, animal rights activists fear it could have devastating consequences for the animals.
Widespread Outcry Over “Bloody Law”
The controversial law, backed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has sparked outrage among animal lovers and activists who believe it will lead to the indiscriminate killing of stray dogs or force them into overcrowded and disease-ridden shelters. Protesters in Istanbul, brandishing signs with slogans like “Shelters are death camps” and “Withdraw the bloody law,” demanded the immediate repeal of the legislation.
“We want this law to be withdrawn immediately,” said 64-year-old protester Hasan Kizilyatak. “They (stray dogs) are living beings, just like us. We are here because we are against them being annihilated.”
Ayten Arslan, a 55-year-old supporter of Erdogan’s AK Party, also joined the protests, emphasizing her disapproval of the law despite her political allegiance. “Just like we stood beside our president on July 15 (2016) when there was a coup attempt, we are here for the stray animals,” she stated. “I say, as an AK Party supporter, this law is a bloody law.”
Legal Challenges and Public Safety Concerns
In response to the backlash, the main opposition, the Republican People’s Party, quickly moved to challenge the law in the Constitutional Court, hoping to overturn it less than two weeks after its passage.
The Turkish government estimates that around 4 million stray dogs roam the country’s streets and rural areas. While most are considered harmless, there have been reports of attacks, some of which have resulted in fatalities. A report from the Safe Streets and Defense of the Right to Life Association claims that 65 people have died in street dog attacks since 2022.
New Legislation and Its Implications
Under the new law, municipalities must capture stray dogs and place them in shelters, where they will be vaccinated, neutered, and spayed before being offered for adoption. Dogs that are in pain, terminally ill, or pose a health risk to humans will be euthanized. Initially, the draft bill included provisions for cats, but public outcry led to their removal from the legislation.
Critics of the law question the practicality of its implementation, especially given the financial strain on local governments. Many municipalities lack the resources to build the additional shelters required, leading to fears that some may resort to killing the dogs under the guise of health concerns.
Adding to these fears, videos have recently surfaced on social media showing dead cats and dogs being buried in ditches. Animal rights activists claim these animals were killed indiscriminately following the law’s passage, raising alarms about the law’s potential to sanction further cruelty.
As the debate over the legislation continues, animal rights groups and concerned citizens vow to keep up the pressure on the government to reconsider its approach to handling Turkey’s stray dog population.