Turkey‘s Minister of the Interior, Ali Yerlikya, has announced new measures following the death a few days ago of a child of just two years of age who was attacked by a pack of stray dogs in the province of Konya, in the centre of the country, reopening the debate on the danger posed by these stray animals, which cause several deaths and injuries every year.
The terrible event took place in the Başak neighbourhood, on the outskirts of the Anatolian city of Konya, where a group of approximately ten stray dogs roaming the area attacked the girl. Despite the fact that the girl received immediate medical attention and all the efforts of the doctors, the girl died from her injuries in hospital.
In statements reported by the Turkish media, Yerlikaya offered his condolences to the family and emphasised that these kinds of incidents involving stray animals are intolerable: ‘An event has occurred in my hometown of Konya that has pained us all. Unfortunately, one of our girls, who was attacked by stray dogs in the Başak neighbourhood of the Karatay district, could not be saved. This is a great sorrow. I extend my condolences to her family. We cannot accept the brutal murder of a 2-year-old girl by stray dogs in 2025, when all the necessary laws are in place.’
‘I have given instructions to all governors,’ said the minister, who emphasised that the government is willing to completely eliminate the problem of stray dogs: “From now on, we will begin to monitor the number of animals in shelters, and these figures will be released to the public on a monthly basis.”
‘We will not tolerate any negligence,’ minister warns
Yerlikaya also announced an increase in inspections of municipalities to check that dogs are being removed from the streets, and the creation of a commission to ensure that the process of collecting and rehabilitating these animals is being carried out as required by law. ’The legislation is clear, and we are a country governed by law. We will not tolerate any negligence,’ said Yerlikaya, who had previously warned that municipalities could face heavy fines and even prison sentences if they do not comply with the law.
Promising a hard line, the minister explained that inspectors have been sent out and an investigation has been opened into the tragedy in Konya and also in other cities, including Hakkari, where last January another 12-year-old girl was killed by dogs. ‘Any complaints or concerns (from citizens about the presence of stray dogs) can be made via 112,’ Yerlikaya reminded.
The growing problem of stray dogs in Turkey – where there are an estimated 4 million of these animals – was addressed in 2024 through a reform of the animal welfare law. Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan’s AKP party even proposed euthanasia for dogs that were collected by shelters and not adopted out after 30 days, but the proposal proved highly controversial and was withdrawn due to protests from animal rights groups and veterinary associations. The new law, however, does establish the obligation for town councils to remove stray animals from the streets, with the exception of cats.
VOTE
EDITORIAL TEAM
🧿 About us
.
Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
…
📣 Your ADVERTISING on Hispanatolia
.
🤗 HELP US WITH A DONATION:
💗 Paypal
