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The Impact of New Legislation on Stray Dogs in Turkey

Explore the profound effects of recent legislation on stray dogs in Turkey. This article delves into the changes in animal welfare policies, community responses, and the future for these vulnerable pets in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.

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The Role of Dogs in Turkish Culture

Dogs have held a significant place in Turkish culture for many centuries. One breed that stands out is the Kangal Shepherd, celebrated as a national treasure and even featured on postage stamps. In addition to the cherished breeds, many stray dogs have also captured the hearts of locals, such as Boji, a well-known stray who gained fame for his adventurous rides on Istanbul’s public transportation system.

Recent Legislative Changes Regarding Stray Dogs

This year, however, the topic of stray dogs has ignited a heated political debate in Turkey. Recently, the Turkish Parliament enacted a controversial law mandating municipalities to round up stray dogs and place them in shelters. The law also allows for the euthanasia of aggressive or ill animals. Furthermore, it requires municipalities to enhance shelter conditions by 2028 and threatens mayors with imprisonment if they fail to comply.

Concerns and Criticisms

Critics are voicing their concerns that this legislation could be misused to target political adversaries of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose ruling party championed the law. Additionally, there is widespread apprehension regarding the state of the country’s animal shelters, many of which are already inadequate and overcrowded. The current population of stray dogs in Turkey is estimated to be around four million.

  • Dr. Murat Arslan, the president of the Turkish Veterinary Medical Association, highlighted the insufficiency of shelter capacity, stating that all shelters combined can only accommodate just over 100,000 animals.
  • He noted that many municipalities lack shelters entirely, exacerbating the issue.
  • Currently, there are about 3,000 veterinarians working in municipal shelters, but Dr. Arslan emphasized that at least 10,000 more are needed to properly care for the stray dog population.
  • Moreover, he pointed out that the new legislation does not include provisions for hiring additional veterinarians.

In December, Dr. Arslan’s organization submitted recommendations to the government addressing these pressing issues. He expressed disappointment, stating, “We provided our report and explained the source of the problem. I don’t think they took any of it into account.”

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