A Turkish parliamentary commission has initiated a heated discussion on a bill aimed at addressing the issue of the country's significant stray dog population. The proposed legislation, put forth by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party, has sparked a contentious debate between groups advocating for safer streets devoid of feral dogs and animal rights activists who are expressing concerns about potential mass killings of the animals.
President Erdogan has highlighted that Turkey is currently home to an estimated 4 million stray animals, with a growing number of dogs forming packs and posing risks to public safety through attacks on individuals.
The bill under consideration by the parliament's agriculture and rural affairs commission represents a watered-down version of an initial proposal that had stirred public outcry. The revised legislation mandates municipalities to remove stray dogs from the streets and place them in shelters for neutering and spaying. Dogs that are sick, suspected of having rabies, or displaying aggressive behavior would be subject to euthanasia.
Despite the modifications made to the bill, concerns persist among activists who fear that some municipalities may resort to mass culling of stray animals rather than investing in shelter facilities. The revised proposal also requires municipalities to establish dog shelters or enhance existing ones by 2028.
The opposition to the bill is strong, with activists staging protests near the Turkish Grand National Assembly and demanding the withdrawal of the legislation. The main opposition party and other smaller political groups are against the bill, but Erdogan's ruling party and its allies hold a parliamentary majority, indicating the bill's likely passage.
A report released by the Safe Streets and Defense of the Right to Life Association revealed that 65 individuals have lost their lives in street dog attacks since 2022. President Erdogan has emphasized the dangers posed by stray dogs, citing instances of traffic accidents caused by drivers swerving to avoid them and warning about the increased risk of rabies.
The government had pledged to address the stray dog issue following a severe dog attack on a child in Ankara earlier this year. Existing regulations call for the capture, neutering, and spaying of stray dogs before returning them to their original locations. However, the failure to enforce these rules effectively has led to a surge in the feral dog population, according to animal rights groups who argue that proper implementation of existing regulations could effectively manage the issue.
