Following the tragic attack that resulted in the death of a two-year-old girl, Turkey’s interior minister has announced a commitment to fully implement a contentious law aimed at managing the country’s stray dog population. This legislation, often referred to as the “massacre law” by animal welfare advocates, was enacted by parliament last summer yet has seen limited enforcement by local authorities.
The law mandates that municipalities capture stray dogs and house them in shelters, where they are to be vaccinated, neutered, or spayed prior to being made available for adoption. However, it also stipulates that dogs suffering from pain, terminal illnesses, or those deemed a health threat to humans will be euthanized.
“Either they will do this job or I will use whatever authority the law gives me to the fullest,” Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated in a video message shared on social media.
The incident that raised concerns occurred in Konya, central Turkey, on Friday, when Rana El Selci was attacked by a pack of stray dogs. Her death has ignited further protests regarding the estimated four million stray dogs that roam Turkey’s urban and rural landscapes. In response, authorities have initiated a criminal investigation and municipal workers have begun to capture stray dogs in the area.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has assured the public that the government is committed to enforcing the law effectively. A report from the Safe Streets and Defence of the Right to Life Association highlights that 65 people have died from street dog attacks since 2022, excluding Rana’s tragic case.
Concerns over animal welfare and public protest
Animal rights advocates express grave concerns that the enforcement of this law may lead to the unnecessary killing of dogs or their placement in overcrowded shelters lacking adequate care. Following the law’s enactment, the main opposition party has publicly declared that their municipalities will not comply with the round-up of strays.
The issue has sharply divided public opinion in Turkey, with some former officials expressing their support for animal welfare. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, former Minister of Justice Abdulhamit Gul shared a photo of himself with a dog on social media, advocating for compassion towards animals during difficult times.
Amid rising tensions, protests have erupted across cities in Turkey, with thousands demanding the repeal of the law. Demonstrators have also taken to the streets in Europe, where concerns have been raised that such policies could deter tourists from visiting Turkey.
Historical context and animal rights movements
Critics of the current law point to past failures in managing the stray dog population, claiming that previous regulations requiring the neutering and return of strays were not adequately enforced. Turkey’s Animal Rights Federation, HAYTAP, has shared content on social media depicting stray animals cohabiting peacefully with humans in various settings.
Highlighting a historical precedent, HAYTAP recalls an incident from 1910 when a Sultan ordered stray dogs to be removed from Istanbul in an effort to modernize the city before the fall of the Ottoman Empire. This resulted in a tragic outcome, with many dogs suffering from starvation and neglect on an isolated island.
Today, animal rights activists are concerned that some municipalities might exploit the law’s provisions to justify the killing of healthy dogs under the guise of illness, rather than providing necessary shelter and care. Shocking videos of dead animals buried in ditches have surfaced on social media, prompting outrage and calls for accountability regarding the treatment of stray dogs following the law’s introduction.