The parliament has approved a controversial proposal allowing for the euthanasia of stray dogs as part of an amendment to the “Animal Protection Law.” The first five articles of the 17-article proposal were passed early today, with discussions on the remaining articles set to resume at 2 pm local time (GMT+3). Article 5, which permits the euthanasia of stray dogs, was passed despite opposition efforts to exclude it. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) aims to pass the bill before the parliament’s recess on August 1.
Previously, the term “euthanasia” had been removed from Article 5 during discussions at the Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Affairs Committee. However, the term was reinstated in the accepted article, according to the Law for Life Initiative (Yaşam İçin Yasa İnisiyatifi), an umbrella group opposing the bill.
The group stated: “The term ‘Killing’ in the Second Part, Fourth Section heading of Law No. 5199 is amended to ‘Euthanasia,’ and the title of Article 13 is amended to ‘Euthanasia of Animals.’ The following paragraphs are added before the first paragraph, and the term ‘Killing procedures and principles’ in the second sentence of the existing second paragraph is changed to ‘Procedures and principles of killing and euthanasia.’”
Thousands have protested in Istanbul against the potential law, fearing it could lead to the mass killing of dogs. The draft bill, aiming to regulate the country’s approximately four million stray dogs, has faced daily protests and international criticism. While many stray dogs are harmless, there have been numerous reports of attacks, including on children, in Istanbul and other areas.
