Debate over stray dogs intensifies

As the ruling AK Party’s proposed legislation on stray dogs is debated in the budget committee, animal rights activists protested in front of the Parliament against euthanasia measures. During committee discussions, individuals who lost children to dog attacks clashed with opposition lawmakers.

AK Party MPs in the commission hall showed photos of children who were injured and lost their lives as a result of attacks by stray dogs. The bill is expected to be enacted before Parliament closes its legislative period due to the summer recess.

The proposed legislation includes a series of law and regulation changes aimed at controlling stray dogs and protecting public health. Under the new regulations, stray animals will be taken to shelters, and local authorities will be allowed to euthanize those that are aggressive, incurably ill, or prohibited from being adopted.

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) announced that no CHP-run municipality will implement euthanasia. Main Opposition Leader Ozgur Ozel said, “We will fulfill our responsibilities to prevent this law from becoming law. The CHP group is on red alert in Parliament for the animal rights law.”

Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu also said, “The draft law on stray animals, which is on the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, cannot be implemented.”

This raises the question of why some support euthanasia and why animal rights activists oppose it.

Proponents of euthanasia

It is estimated that there are at least 4 million stray dogs in Türkiye. According to the Ministry of Interior, rabies cases were reported in 59 provinces with 494 cases in 2019, 267 cases in 52 provinces in 2020, 153 cases in 28 provinces in 2021, 277 cases in 41 provinces in 2022, and 282 cases in 35 provinces in 2023.

Additionally, in the past two years, 107 people, including 50 children, have died from dog attacks. Videos frequently shared on social media show individuals dying in traffic accidents while trying to escape from dogs. Besides fatalities, many people have been injured in dog attacks.

Supporters of euthanasia argue that the rise in dog attacks poses a significant threat to public safety, forming the basis of their argument for euthanasia.

Animal rights activists’ views

Animal rights activists advocate for the tracking, registration, microchipping, care, vaccination, sterilization, and adoption of rehabilitated animals, with the collaboration and support of volunteers.

They also argue that improper urban planning encroaches on dogs’ habitats, making dogs the victims, not the culprits. Furthermore, they highlight the issue of people irresponsibly adopting pets and later abandoning them, exacerbating the problem. They believe that increasing public awareness is key to solving the issue.

This debate highlights the challenges in balancing public safety and animal rights in Türkiye’s stray dog problem.