Thousands in Istanbul protest new law on stray dogs, express fears of mass culling

Thousands of protesters gathered in Istanbul on Sunday to oppose a controversial new law targeting stray dogs, which animal rights activists fear could lead to mass culling across Turkey.

The legislation, passed last month, mandates the removal of millions of stray dogs from Turkish streets, citing public safety concerns.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan defended the law, calling it necessary to address the country’s “stray dog problem.”

Protesters, however, believe the law could lead to the widespread euthanasia of stray dogs or force them into overcrowded and unsanitary shelters. Demonstrators carried signs reading “Shelters are death camps” and “Withdraw the bloody law,” demanding the law’s immediate repeal.

“We want this law to be withdrawn immediately,” said 64-year-old protester Hasan Kizilyatak. “They (stray dogs) are living beings, just like us. We are here because we are against them being annihilated.”

The main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party, has challenged the law in the Constitutional Court, seeking its repeal less than two weeks after it was enacted.

Government estimates suggest there are around 4 million stray dogs in Turkey. While most are harmless, there have been several reports of attacks on people, including children.

A report from the Safe Streets and Defense of the Right to Life Association claims that 65 people have died in dog attacks since 2022.

The new law requires municipalities to collect stray dogs, house them in shelters, and ensure they are vaccinated, neutered, and spayed before being made available for adoption. Dogs deemed to be in pain, terminally ill, or posing a health risk to humans will be euthanised.

Many question how cash-strapped municipalities will find the resources to build the additional shelters needed. Animal rights groups warn that some municipalities might resort to killing dogs under the guise of illness to avoid the expense of sheltering them.

Videos circulating on social media have shown dead animals buried in ditches, with activists alleging that they were killed following the law’s passage. The initial draft of the bill included provisions for stray cats, but this was removed after public outcry.