Istanbul Protesters Rally Against New Law Impacting Stray Dogs in Turkey

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Istanbul on Sunday to protest a new law that critics argue is leading to the widespread killing of stray dogs across Turkey.

The legislation, passed last month, aims to remove millions of stray dogs from the streets, citing public safety concerns. However, animal lovers and rights activists fear that the law will result in mass culling or force the dogs into overcrowded, disease-ridden shelters.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan defended the law, stating it was necessary to address Turkey's "stray dog problem."

Protesters on Sunday demanded the law be repealed, holding signs that read "shelters are death camps" and "withdraw the bloody law."

"We want this law to be withdrawn immediately," said Hasan Kizilyatak, a 64-year-old protester, in an interview with The Associated Press. "These stray dogs are living beings, just like us. We are here because we are against them being annihilated."

Ayten Arslan, 55, who supports Erdogan and his AK Party, also joined the protest. "Just like we stood beside our president on July 15 (2016) during the coup attempt, we are here for the stray animals," she said. "As an AK Party supporter, I say this law is a bloody law."

The main opposition party, the Republican People's Party, moved to challenge the law in the Constitutional Court less than two weeks after its passage.

The government estimates that approximately four million stray dogs roam Turkey's streets and rural areas. While most are not dangerous, some have attacked people, including children.

A report from the Safe Streets and Defense of the Right to Life Association, an organization advocating for the removal of all stray dogs from public spaces, claims that 65 people have died in dog attacks since 2022.

Under the new law, municipalities are required to capture stray dogs and house them in shelters where they will be vaccinated, neutered, and spayed before being made available for adoption. Dogs that are in pain, terminally ill, or pose a health risk to humans will be euthanized. The initial draft of the bill also included provisions for cats, but this was removed after a public outcry.

Concerns remain over how financially strained municipalities will fund the additional shelters needed to comply with the law. Animal rights activists fear that some municipalities might resort to killing dogs under the guise of illness rather than allocating the necessary resources to shelter them.

At Nicole and Baby, we believe in the importance of treating all animals with love and compassion. The recent protests in Istanbul against legislation affecting stray dogs remind us of our mission to provide not just stylish, high-quality products for pets, but also to support the well-being of all animals. As animal lovers, we stand with those advocating for the humane treatment of stray dogs and are committed to making a difference in the lives of pets everywhere.