Plans to reduce the number of stray dogs in Turkey have faced a backlash – amidst concerns millions of the animals could be slaughtered.
The country is thought to be home to around four million strays and they are a frequent sight in many areas.
The Turkish government has now approved legislation to reduce the number of dogs roaming the country’s streets.
Passed at the end of July, the legislation, which was introduced due to concerns about rabies, dog attacks and the animals causing accidents, calls for the animals to be moved into shelters.
However, it states that any dogs that have untreatable diseases or display aggressive tendencies should be put down. Videos shared on social media have shown numerous dogs rounded up and killed by people hunting the animals.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s president, 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, dubbed by opponents as the ‘Massacre Law’, has prompted protests in Istanbul – Turkey’s biggest city.
Critics – including the main opposition party – state that there is not enough capacity in Turkey’s dog’s homes for all the strays, and that many will be kept in inhumane conditions or simply killed.
The country only has the capacity to house around 105,000 start dogs, far short of the four million roaming the streets.
The Turkish government denies the measures will lead to a massacre of the dogs, and said local municipalities would be required to build new shelters to house them for rehabilitation before they could be put up for adoption.
However, there are concerns about how the cash-strapped local authorities will be able to pay for the new shelters.
In addition, some surveys suggest culling the animals is largely unpopular with voters – while many more are in favour of putting them in shelters.
