Millions of stray dogs in Turkey are being rounded up and killed after the country passed a new law calling for them to be put down.
Pictures and videos shared on social media have shown the scale of the ‘massacre’, with people reportedly hunting down and killing the animals after the legislation was passed at the end of July.
The law, drawn up by President Tayyip Erdogan‘s ruling AK Party, was introduced amid concerns about attacks, road accidents and rabies in the country, which has an estimated 4 million stray dogs.
While it is aimed at removing the dogs off the streets and putting them into shelters, the law does state that any dogs showing aggressive behaviour or those with untreatable diseases will be put down.
The country currently has 322 animal shelters with a capacity for 105,000 dogs, according to the bill, far short of what would be needed to round up the number of strays, which had led many to think large numbers would be put down.
Passing the bill last month Erdogan said: ‘Despite the opposition’s provocations and campaigns based on lies and distortions, the national assembly once again listened to the people, refusing to ignore the cries of the silent majority.’
The law, which was approved with 275 votes in favour and 224 against, requires all municipalities to spend at least 0.3% of their annual budget on animal rehabilitation services and building or upgrading shelters.
Although they will be given until 2028 to do so.
Animal rights activists had called instead for neutering campaigns to be stepped up, and the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) said it would appeal against the legislation in the Constitutional Court.
Murat Emir, a senior deputy with the Republican People’s party, or CHP, said: ‘You have made a law that is morally, conscientiously and legally broken.
‘You cannot wash your hands of blood.’
Thousands of people have taken to the streets over the past few weeks to protest against the law, occasionally scuffling with police and carrying banners including slogans such as ‘You cannot kill them’ and ‘Take back the law’.
Residents of Turkish towns and cities often take care of street animals, putting out makeshift shelters, food and water for them.
One survey showed less than 3% of people supported putting them down, while nearly 80% were in favour of dogs being put in shelters.
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