WORLD NEWS
Turkish opposition parties pledged to challenge a new law that authorizes the capture—and in some cases, the killing—of the country's estimated four million stray dogs. The law, passed in the early hours of Tuesday by a margin of 51 votes, has sparked widespread controversy and protests from animal rights advocates.
The emotive legislation allows for the culling of stray dogs deemed sick or uncontrollable, a move the government argues is necessary to prevent attacks and the spread of rabies. The law also mandates that other stray dogs be rounded up, placed in shelters, and put up for adoption. However, critics argue that this approach is impractical given the large number of strays and advocate for mass sterilization and vaccination as more humane and effective solutions.
During the parliamentary debate, deputies opposing the law wore white gloves stained with fake blood to symbolize their protest. The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader, Ozgur Ozel, announced plans to challenge the law in the constitutional court, asserting that it violates the right to life for animals. CHP lawmaker Aliye Timis Ersever condemned the decision, labeling it a "dark day" in Turkish history.
International animal welfare group Four Paws also condemned the law, urging President Recep Tayyip Erdogan not to ratify it. Four Paws criticized the killing and mass sheltering of strays as inhumane and ineffective, recommending instead a strategy of catching, neutering, vaccinating, and rereleasing the animals.
President Erdogan, whose AKP party and allies hold a majority in parliament, defended the law, citing public demand for safer streets. He characterized the situation as an unprecedented challenge and emphasized the need for measures to address it. The legislation requires local councils to build animal shelters and implement the law by 2028, with non-compliant mayors facing potential jail time.
The CHP, which gained control of major cities in local elections earlier this year, has vowed that its mayors will not enforce the law. The opposition accused the AKP of seeking revenge following its loss in the local elections, describing the law as a form of "massacre."
Protests have erupted across Turkey in response to the law, highlighting the deep public affection for the country’s strays. Millions of Turks regularly feed and care for these animals, and the new law has intensified debates over animal welfare and humane treatment.