On Sunday, the Turkish parliament initiated a heated discussion about a law designed to address the issue of millions of stray dogs, a measure that critics argue could pave the way for widespread animal euthanasia. The government's data suggests there are approximately four million stray dogs, and the proposed law, set to be discussed over multiple sessions, permits the euthanasia of both sick animals and those exhibiting 'undesirable behavior.' The penalty for abandoning dogs would see a significant increase, rising thirty times to 60,000 lira ($1,800). Prior to the debate, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan highlighted Turkey's unique and rapidly escalating problem, particularly concerning the rising number of rabies cases. Despite this, authorities have refuted claims of intending a mass euthanasia, with Erdogan emphasizing the public's desire for 'secure streets.'
Animal rights organizations are advocating for a large-scale sterilization program, while opposition parties are committed to opposing the law, regardless of its final approval. The Republican People's Party, which governs Istanbul and several other major cities, has indicated that its mayors might not enforce the law. In recent weeks, protests have occurred, including within the parliament itself. The government has warned that mayors who refuse to implement the law could face imprisonment and has restricted public access to parliament to prevent further demonstrations.
This legislative debate has rekindled memories of a 1910 Ottoman-era policy where thousands of stray dogs in Istanbul were captured and transported to an uninhabited island in the Marmara Sea. The dogs eventually resorted to cannibalism, and most perished from starvation.
