Today (July 23), the Agriculture, Forest, and Village Affairs commission of the Turkish Parliament continues debate over a bill aiming to cull Turkey’s stray dog population amidst protests by animal rights supporters across the country. Hearings regarding the controversial bill began in parliament last week (July 17).
The bill, championed by Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), seeks to cull Turkey’s vast street dog population by giving local municipalities authority to round up and put down sick and aggressive animals.
A ballooning stray dog population, estimated at around four million country-wide, as well as an increase in dog attacks have highlighted the need for population control, according to the ruling party.
Those opposed to the bill have argued that the initiative amounts to a ‘dog massacre’, and have advocated other measures, such as sterilization.
Last week, the Agriculture, Forest, and Village Affairs commission approved the first three articles of the law, which contains a total of 17 articles. Debate over the remaining articles is scheduled to begin at 14:00 Monday afternoon.
Animal rights protests
Animal rights supporters organized demonstrations across Turkey over the weekend. Demonstrations at Ankara’s Anıtpark and in İzmir’s central Alsancak district attracted large groups and included speeches from animal rights activists such as Right to Life Defenders member Necla Gizem Tarhan Kasapoğlu and Confederation for the Rights of Animals member Haydar Özkan.
Turkish culture has a long history of tolerating and caring for street animals. In his comments in Ankara, Özkan said “The killing of these street animals by the conscientious and merciful Turkish public is something that is entirely unacceptable.”
KONDA poll
A poll from polling institute KONDA released Sunday (July 21) showed limited support for the new bill country-wide.
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According to the poll, some 85% of Turkish citizens surveyed are opposed to putting down stray dogs in all cases. 63% of respondents said another solution should be found that does not involve putting down the animals.
22% of respondents said the street animals are not causing harm to anyone, while a small 15% minority said putting down the dogs is acceptable in some cases.
Written/translated by Loe Kendrick for Medyascope
