Main opposition party vows legal battle against new stray dogs law
Turkish Parliament discusses a new stray dog law as underlying causes remain unresolved. (AA Photo)
The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel announced that the party will challenge the recent amendments to the Animal Protection Law at the Constitutional Court.
Speaking about the new regulations, which include measures for stray animals, Ozel said, “This is our duty. We will do this as soon as possible, requesting a stay of execution.”
Ozel addressed questions from the press in the lobby after the General Assembly of the Turkish Parliament passed the law proposal for stray animals.
He stated that the law is clearly unconstitutional and does not defend the right to life, and therefore they will evaluate the process related to the Constitutional Court.
Expressing that they will work on the issue, Ozel said, “The right to a healthy environment is necessary for people. Especially considering that vaccinated street dogs act as a barrier against diseases like rabies between wild and urban life, a great risk was taken in terms of public and community health. We will evaluate all these and take the law to the Constitutional Court. This is our duty. We will do this as soon as possible, requesting a stay of execution.”
Saying, “For four and a half years, the Constitutional Court has not implemented the stay of execution decision, which is an important gain, in all our applications,” Ozel expressed his hope that the Constitutional Court will abandon this practice.
Thanking everyone who objected to the law, especially the opposition deputies and the CHP group, Ozel said:
“Our group has been defending what is right and preventing wrongs with incredible performance for two and a half months. If it weren’t for the superior efforts and determination of the CHP group, euthanasia would have passed. The opposition merged with social sensitivity. Many steps were taken back. The entire law is still very dangerous, but in its original form, it was a direct massacre law. These steps back were taken thanks to the great efforts of the opposition and our group. This needs to be seen.”
CHP leader Ozgur Ozel
‘We will not comply with hidden directive of law’
Ozel claimed that CHP municipalities would oppose the law’s underlying message: “If you can’t resolve the issue, you will be penalized, so come and start a massacre.'” Ozel emphasized that CHP municipalities would never follow this hidden order.
“We will do everything we can to build more shelters, vaccinate, neuter and adopt. However, it is not possible to fully fulfill this burden with municipal power and such limited resources. Every negative outcome that will arise from now on is the responsibility of today’s irresponsible legislative approach. However, our municipalities will continue to do their part as they have done so far.”
Ozel announced that the CHP group would hold a private meeting to express gratitude to their deputies. He described the deputies’ summer period as a “work term” and indicated that they would conduct a brief assessment of their performance during this time.
