World Animal Justice (WAJ) is advocating against the law requiring the mass killing of street animals, passed in Türkiye on 2 August 2024. WAJ calls on animal rights activists and organizations around the world to act in order to overrule this law.
Analysis by Seher ÖZKAN, WAJ Expert in Turkey
What the Law Brings
Despite all the objections and reactions, the “Law on Amendments to the Animal Protection Law” No. 7527 was published and entered into force on August 2, 2024. This law requires that all domestic animals living on the streets, especially cats and dogs, be collected and placed in animal care facilities.
Among the animals taken to the animal care facility, the veterinarian may decide to euthanize “dogs whose negative behavior poses a danger to the life and health of humans and animals, whose negative behavior cannot be controlled, who has a contagious or untreatable disease, or whose adoption is prohibited.”
This Law defeats the goals that countless activists and animal rights organizations have worked tirelessly to achieve. While there are many conscientious solutions in this century, it is unacceptable to imprison and kill domestic animals whose natural habitat is the streets!
The Cruelty and Ineffectiveness of the Law
It is said that the reason for the enactment of the law is that the animal population living on the streets has increased significantly and this poses a threat to human life. However, while there are many scientific methods that can control the population of animals living on the streets, this law means legitimizing the massacre. Scientifically, collection-culling methods do not provide success in population control.
The reason for the increase in the dog population living on the streets is that municipalities in Türkiye have not implemented an effective catch-neuter-release method for 20 years. If municipalities had been fulfilling their duties for 20 years and sterilization had been carried out, the enactment of such a Law would not even be on the agenda today. Although it is promised to provide a solution to the population increase of animals living on the streets, unfortunately there is no prohibitory provision in the Law regarding the production, sale and import of animals.
Also, it is practically impossible to implement the Law. There are not enough shelters to accommodate all the animals living on the streets in Türkiye. For this reason, it is practically impossible to keep all the collected animals in care facilities. Additionally, unfortunately, the conditions of shelters in Türkiye are quite poor and shelters are not suitable environments for animals to live in welfare. This will cause infectious diseases in shelters to increase and animals to become sick and die. In other words, even if animals are not killed directly, they will lose their lives due to bad conditions.
In addition, in the temporary Article 4 added to the Animal Protection Law No. 5199 with Article 14 of the Law, municipalities are obliged to establish animal care homes and improve the conditions of existing care homes until 31.12.2028. This regulation may be interpreted that animals cannot be collected, at least until the conditions of existing animal care facilities are improved. However, since it is regulated that municipal officials who do not collect animals will be sentenced to imprisonment from 6 months to 2 years, there is concern that street animals will immediately begin to be collected by municipalities.
There is Still Hope
In line with scientific data, the necessary legal struggle will be continued with determination until a pro-life regulation is made for our neighborhood animal friends whose natural habitat is the streets. An annulment lawsuit will be filed in the Constitutional Court, requesting the suspension of execution and annulment of the Law. We can say that this application is the last chance to annul this Law that favors massacre.
Conclusion
This Law, which will lead to the slaughter of animals living on the streets, means the failure of the legal struggle that has been going on for years. This increases the importance of the international community uniting in defending the welfare of animals around the world. World Animal Justice calls on the international community and animal welfare activists to protest this Law so that animals are not killed, live in welfare and are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
As the saying goes, “If you cannot prevent a cruelty, announce it to everyone.”
We will continue to work for a future where all animals are free from suffering. Let’s fight together we can make legal progress to prevent the massive killing of innocent animal victims!
World Animal Justice synthesis
This news is alarming and distressing for those concerned with animal protection. The enactment of this law in Türkiye, which includes provisions already leading to the mass killing of street animals, marks a significant setback in the fight for animal rights.
Key Points of Concern:
- Euthanasia Clause: The law allows for the euthanization of street animals deemed dangerous or untreatable by veterinarians. This has sparked outrage as it opens the door to potentially widespread culling, which many believe is both inhumane and ineffective in addressing the root causes of street animal populations.
- Lack of Prohibitions on Animal Trade: The law fails to address the ongoing production, sale, and import of animals, which continues to fuel the population of street animals. Without curbing these practices, the problem is likely to persist despite the harsh measures introduced.
- Shelter Conditions: The current state of animal shelters in Türkiye is reportedly inadequate, raising concerns that even if animals are not euthanized, they may suffer from poor living conditions, leading to illness and death in overcrowded and unsanitary environments.
- Implementation Challenges: The logistical challenges of implementing this law, given the insufficient number of shelters, are significant. This raises questions about the law’s practicality and whether it might result in widespread suffering for street animals.
Global Response and Actions:
- Legal Challenges: There is hope that legal challenges, such as an annulment lawsuit in the Constitutional Court, could overturn or suspend the law. Activists are likely to continue their efforts in the legal arena to protect street animals.
- International Advocacy: The call to the international community is crucial. Global pressure and solidarity from animal rights organizations can amplify the voices of local activists and may lead to reconsideration or amendment of the law.
- Awareness and Protests: Raising awareness globally and organizing protests could help draw attention to the issue, potentially leading to changes in policy or at least a delay in the law’s implementation.
Conclusion
The situation is dire, but with coordinated global efforts, there may still be a chance to advocate for a more humane solution.
The response of the international animal protection movement will be vital in determining the future of street animals in Türkiye.
