Millions of street dogs collected in Türkiye could be killed

In late 2023, a 10-year-old Turkish boy was attacked by several stray dogs on his way to school. The incident prompted Erdogan to promise a solution to the country’s large number of stray dogs. According to the president, 55 people have also died in car accidents caused by the animals on the road.

After intense debate and revised proposals, parliament passed a new law this summer that means shelters must care for, vaccinate and neuter dogs. The animals must then be adopted out. Sick or aggressive dogs must be euthanized.

Animal rights activists criticize Opponents of the new law, which in its previous version meant that dogs that had not found an owner within 30 days would be euthanized, point out that existing shelters are underfunded.

“Because there is no space, they will euthanize the animals,” says activist Fatma Bertekin. SVT.

Legislation It has sparked protests in several parts of the country. For some protesters, the focus is on animal rights, while others are government critics who see the law as another way for Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) to increase its control over society.

But it's not all negative. Safe Streets was founded by Murat Pinar, whose daughter died after being hit by a truck that had made way for a street dog in Antalya.

– He says previous measures were not enough. The Guardian.