Tensions Rise Over How to Address Turkey’s Stray Dog Population
On a scorching summer afternoon, Gokcen Yildiz, a physics teacher by day and stray-dog advocate by night, tenderly holds a disabled street dog in Ankara. Yildiz, who cares for 160 dogs on her property, represents a growing divide in Turkey over how to handle the country’s estimated four million stray dogs.
A growing crisis
The stray-dog dilemma has reached a boiling point as Turkish lawmakers from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) draft a controversial new bill. The proposed legislation could require municipalities to collect stray dogs, shelter them for 30 days, and, if unadopted, euthanize them. This potential shift from the current catch-and-release approach has sparked significant backlash from animal rights activists and the public.
Yildiz, who takes in elderly, disabled, and troubled dogs, faces not only emotional challenges but also financial strain. “It is not my job, but I look after dogs in need,” she said. “I always experience financial worry because the economy is getting harder.” Her concern extends beyond finances; she fears for the dogs’ well-being if she cannot continue her rescue efforts.
A controversial proposal
The new bill, though not yet introduced to parliament, has caused uproar among animal lovers. It proposes that stray dogs be collected, sheltered, and potentially euthanized if not adopted within a month. Critics argue that this approach fails to address the root causes of the stray-dog problem and may lead to unnecessary suffering.
Dr. Murat Arslan, president of the Turkish Veterinary Medical Association, points out flaws in current legislation, which mandates the sterilization and return of stray dogs to the streets. He highlights that the lack of shelters and veterinary resources has hindered the effectiveness of this law.
Attorney Meltem Zorba of the Safe Streets Association advocates for a new legal framework to permanently remove strays from the streets. “There should not be stray dogs on the streets,” she asserts, citing concerns about public safety and health. Zorba calls for legislation that prioritizes sheltering and proper care over euthanasia.
The path forward
A recent poll reveals that nearly 80% of Turks support measures to remove strays from the streets, with only a small fraction endorsing euthanasia. Both Yildiz and Zorba agree that the government should focus on building shelters and funding rescue operations rather than resorting to euthanasia.
Amid Turkey’s severe economic crisis, marked by 75% inflation this year, the feasibility of implementing such measures remains uncertain. The government’s ability to allocate resources for new shelters and enforcement remains in question as the nation grapples with financial instability.
As the debate continues, the future of Turkey’s street dogs hangs in the balance. With the first round of legislative proposals still pending, activists like Yildiz and Zorba hope for a solution that prioritizes humane treatment over extreme measures.
