Stop Turkey's Dog Massacre: A Plea to the Turkish Parliament

Los Angeles, California, July 19th, 2024 – The urgency in the voices of animal welfare advocates resonates deeply as Türkiye stands on the precipice of enacting measures that would lead to the death of millions of stray dogs and cats. The proposed amendment threatens to change the landscape of Turkish streets, where these animals have lived for centuries.

Click here to Sign The Petition NOW to Stop the Dog Massacre

Animal welfare organizations globally are raising alarms. Their plea to the Turkish parliament is not merely about protecting animal lives but about upholding our shared humanity and ethical responsibilities. “The act of killing stray animals is inhumane, inefficient, and counterproductive,” states the Turkish Association of Veterinarians.

A starving dog in one of Turkey's animal "shelters" turned torture chambers. — A starving dog in one of Turkey’s animal “shelters” turned torture chambers.

Turkey’s animal shelters, often misrepresented as safe havens, have become death camps where animals suffer without basic necessities and often starve to death. According to the petition launched by the Animal Save Movement, Turkey’s “…so-called shelters are in fact death camps and animals are tortured in unimaginable ways. If the law is passed, sick dogs, banned breeds and physiologically impaired dogs will be ‘euthanized’ and even healthy, neutered/spayed, and non-aggressive dogs could be killed without justification, solely to reduce their population.” This proposed law lets breeders off the hook even though breeding animals for profit is a key reason why there is a stray dog overpopulation crisis.

Really Bad PR for Turkey

These are just some of the dogs at risk of being slaughtered in Turkey. — These are just some of the dogs, in Turkey, at risk of being slaughtered.

Animal lovers across the world are expressing horror as word spreads of this proposed massacre. UnchainedTV’s Jane Velez-Mitchell noted, “This is a catastrophic mistake, not just for Turkey’s animals, but for the reputation of Turkey itself. Whatever this planned mass extermination hopes to accomplish, I assure you it will backfire and do the opposite. Like millions of Americans, I’ve always wanted to visit Turkey and explore its historic sites. However, if this planned massacre occurs, I will never set foot in the nation and global campaigns will be launched urging tour companies to avoid Turkey at all costs. This is reputational suicide for Turkey and will costs the country many millions in revenue.”

Why Killing is Not a Solution

Research and experience from other nations highlight that sterilization programs, combined with well-supported shelters, provide a sustainable solution. The proposed mass slaughter overlooks these humane alternatives, focusing instead on temporary measures that fail to address root causes. The Turkish Association of Veterinarians confirms, “The cost of the ‘Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return’ program is substantially lower than the proposed euthanization program.”

Türkiye’s Tradition of Care

For centuries, people in Türkiye have shared their streets with dogs and cats, fostering a unique bond. Turkish law currently supports the “Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return” approach, which the new legislation seeks to change. This method is humane, cost-effective, and constructive, showcasing Türkiye as a nation that values life and acts with compassion and wisdom. Sadly, the proposed amendments do not address the root causes of animal population growth, such as the production and trade of animals, nor do they impose criminal sanctions for violence against animals.

A Call to Action – Stand United for a Compassionate Future

The open letter, signed by numerous organizations and individuals, calls on the Turkish Parliament to reject these inhumane proposals and instead adopt humane alternatives. Key signatories include:

These groups emphasize the importance of comprehensive sterilization programs and the development of well-resourced shelters. They urge the parliament to support a future where stray and free-roaming animals in Türkiye continue to be cared for and loved by their human neighbors. The signatories believe that the actions taken now can pave the way for a society that honors life in all its forms and chooses compassion over cruelty.

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