In a controversial move, Turkey’s parliament has approved a new law targeting the removal of millions of stray dogs from the streets, sparking widespread concern among animal welfare advocates. The legislation, which critics have dubbed the “massacre law,” has raised fears that it could lead to the euthanisation of countless dogs or their confinement in neglected, overcrowded shelters.
The law has also ignited a political firestorm, with some arguing that it could be used to undermine the opposition. Penalties included in the law for mayors who fail to comply have led the main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), to vow not to implement the legislation. The CHP, which made significant gains in recent local elections, has been vocal in its opposition to the law, describing it as morally and legally flawed.
The Turkish Grand National Assembly passed the legislation after a marathon overnight session, just before the summer recess. Thousands of people across Turkey have taken to the streets in protest, calling for the removal of an article that allows for the euthanasia of some stray animals. Opposition lawmakers, animal welfare groups, and activists have fiercely criticised the bill, with many labelling it a threat to the country’s stray dog population.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is expected to sign the bill into law, expressed gratitude to the ruling party and allied legislators who supported the legislation, despite what he described as “provocations and campaigns based on lies” from the opposition. Erdoğan emphasised that the parliament had listened to the will of the people and refused to ignore the concerns of the “silent majority” who support the removal of strays from the streets.
The government estimates that there are approximately 4 million stray dogs in Turkey, many of which are harmless. However, the increasing number of dogs forming packs has led to concerns about public safety, with several reported attacks. The new legislation mandates that municipalities collect stray dogs, house them in shelters, and ensure they are vaccinated, neutered, and spayed before making them available for adoption. Dogs deemed to be in pain, terminally ill, or a health risk to humans will be euthanised.
Opponents of the law have questioned why it includes provisions for the collection of healthy and non-aggressive animals if the government does not intend to cull them. The CHP has announced its intention to challenge the law in Turkey’s Supreme Court, arguing that it violates ethical and legal standards. Murat Emir, a senior deputy from the CHP, criticised the law during a parliamentary session, accusing the government of drafting legislation that is “morally, conscientiously, and legally broken.”
The new law has also drawn attention to the government’s failure to effectively implement previous regulations that required stray dogs to be caught, neutered, spayed, and returned to their original locations. Many believe that the current crisis is a result of these previous policies not being enforced.
While the government has denied that the bill will lead to a widespread culling of stray dogs, doubts remain. Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç has assured the public that anyone killing strays “without reason” will face punishment. Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister İbrahim Yumaklı has attempted to reframe the bill as an “adoption law” rather than a “massacre law.”
The debate surrounding the legislation highlights the deep divisions within Turkish society over how to address the issue of stray animals. With protests continuing and legal challenges looming, the future of Turkey’s stray dog population remains uncertain.
