References to euthanasia as a solution to the problem of stray dogs have been removed from the proposed reform of the Animal Abuse Law, which was intended to address how to deal with the growing population of stray animals in Turkey, especially dogs, which have been involved in several attacks in recent years that have sparked concern among a significant part of Turkish society.
According to Turkish media reports, the amendment that removes the euthanasia clause from the bill was approved yesterday in the parliamentary committee, following criticism from the opposition and animal rights groups of the controversial proposal made months ago by Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP). Under the changes, the term ‘euthanasia’ is removed as such from the legal text, which now reads ‘the provisions specified in Article 9 Clause 3 of the Veterinary Services Law shall be applied’.
The provisions of the Veterinary Services Law now referred to in the new text specifically prohibits euthanasia for animals as a general practice, but authorise it in specific cases such as incurable diseases, to prevent or eradicate infectious diseases that threaten human health, or in cases where the behaviour of the animal endangers the life of humans or other animals; in any case, if euthanasia is carried out, it must be performed or supervised by a veterinarian.
A number of other amendments have also been introduced in the bill, such as the reference to ‘animals in shelters must be registered and kept in such facilities until they are rehabilitated and adopted’, which has now been amended to refer only to dogs, excluding cats in view of social customs in Turkey to care for stray cats. In addition, penalties of up to two years’ imprisonment have been introduced for mayors and city council members who fail to provide the necessary resources for animal care, and also new fines for people who abandon animals.
Until now, the proposed law on stray animals authorised widespread euthanasia of stray dogs that were not adopted within 30 days of being captured and placed in animal shelters. As soon as the controversial project became known, environmental groups and numerous Turkish citizens via social media expressed their radical opposition to the idea as inhumane, while the country’s main veterinary associations announced that they would invoke their right to conscientious objection to refuse to euthanise the animals. Also, 158 of Turkey’s leading artists and writers, including Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk, even signed a joint manifesto defending the right to life of stray dogs.
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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.
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