Çiğdem Özbaş
Climate Justice Coalition Turkey
The issue of living alongside street animals has recently become one of the most pressing social topics in Turkey. A new bill addressing stray animals, which includes provisions for the euthanasia of street dogs, was published in the Official Gazette on August 2 and has now come into effect. The most controversial aspect of this amendment to the Animal Protection Law is that it paves the way for the killing of stray dogs.
The new regulations on stray animals have emboldened violent individuals, and reports of dog massacres are surfacing across the country. There are accounts from various regions that municipal shelters have slaughtered dogs and buried them in mass graves.
For years, scientists, veterinarians, and animal rights advocates have been recommending humane, non-lethal methods to manage the dog population and address the issues arising in shared urban spaces. Many dogs are struggling to survive in appalling conditions due to hunger, disease, and trauma. Compounding the problem is the abandonment of animals that were bred and sold, often left in the streets or forests. Additionally, the lack of a planned neutering program by municipalities for many years has contributed to a rise in the stray dog population.
There are fewer and fewer spaces left for non-human animals to live in both rural and urban areas, with their current habitats shrinking each day. Dogs are not our enemies. They are companion species that have coexisted with humans for millennia, evolving alongside us. With proper population planning and improved welfare measures, dogs can continue to live harmoniously with humans.
We also know that if animals are rounded up and slaughtered, other forms of violence in society are likely to increase. There are humane, non-violent, and rights-based solutions that can foster peaceful coexistence between humans and animals.
The movement continues to fight against the death sentences handed down to stray animals and advocates for a legal framework that protects the ‘right to life.’ It calls for coexistence between human and non-human animals through protective legislation.
The solution to the stray animal population crisis lies in a comprehensive neutering and rehabilitation campaign. Neutering centers should be established in neighborhoods, particularly in rural areas. Additionally, there must be a ban on the breeding and sale of pets, and strict administrative penalties should be enforced for those who abandon their adopted animals.
Rejecting humane methods in favor of slaughter and isolation reflects a right-wing, neoliberal response to the crises of capitalism.
The real question is what kind of cities we want to live in. We need to rethink and transform our streets and urban spaces as a whole.
The lack—or scarcity—of green areas, parks, and gardens is a problem that affects both humans and animals alike.
Therefore, our goal should be to implement solutions that allow humans and animals to share urban spaces harmoniously, rather than to eliminate animals from our cities.
In Turkey, there is a widespread movement advocating for the “Neuter, vaccinate, let live in place” approach for stray animals. Many neighborhood networks are actively caring for street dogs and monitoring potential abuses by authorities.
Activists from the Climate Justice Coalition in Turkey urge everyone who supports the right to life and opposes violence to join the ongoing struggle on the streets and in every sphere of life.
