What’s driving Türkiye’s stray animal problem?

Amid ongoing debates concerning stray animals, a new draft bill that includes provisions for euthanasia is currently under discussion in Parliament. This issue is not new in Türkiye; authorities have long grappled with managing stray animals. What are the underlying causes of this problem, and how has the debate evolved to this point?

Covid-19 effect

During the COVID-19 lockdown, pet adoptions surged, particularly for dogs. However, post-quarantine, many of these pets were abandoned on the streets.

This abandonment has contributed to a significant increase in the population of unsterilized stray animals, exacerbated by the inadequate enforcement of existing laws.

Ineffective laws

Current legislation requires that stray animals be “sterilized, vaccinated, and cared for before being returned to their original environment.” However, improper or incomplete application of this rule means many stray dogs remain unaddressed.

Municipalities either fail to remove aggressive dogs or, if removed, these animals are often “held temporarily, rehabilitated, and then released,” resulting in their continued presence on the streets. This raises concerns about the effective enforcement of the law.

Budget discrepancies

Furthermore, there is debate over whether municipalities are meeting their responsibilities. Despite significant budget allocations, such expenditures appear insufficient. For example, the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality purchased ₺13 million worth of dog food in March 2024 and issued a new tender for additional supplies in May.

Similarly, the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality conducted a ₺12 million tender for food in April 2024 and another ₺154 million tender for shelters in the same month. This highlights a substantial portion of the budget dedicated solely to dog food.

Despite these legislative measures and considerable financial outlay, sustainable solutions for managing stray animals remain elusive. Since 2022, over 50 people have reportedly lost their lives in incidents involving stray animals. The increase in such attacks has prompted a reassessment and potential revision of current legislation.