While the latest amendment regarding stray animals has raised eyebrows in Türkiye, significant opposition also reigns in the contemporary art world.
Turkey’s modern artists are protesting the proposed law change that would result in the killing of stray animals. They express their objection with the sentences above.
There is growing opposition to the amendment the AKP wants to make in the Animal Protection Law. Despite ethical, rights-based, medical, environmental, and religious arguments being made against it, the government seems determined to push through this amendment, which would allow the collection and eventual slaughter of stray animals if they are not adopted within 30 days. This has sparked polarization and hate speech in society. Although there have been claims that the new law would eliminate the killing of animals, upon closer examination, it was revealed that the law remains unchanged and even includes harsher conditions for animals taken to shelters.
Shelter is as brutal a method as killing them. No one has forgotten the dog that was killed with a shovel in the Konya Shelter, or the cats that were tried to be killed by leaving them breathless in the trunk of a car in bags in the same shelter. Or the dog graves discovered by volunteers in shelters in Ankara where no one is allowed to enter.
Even a cat that was not in a shelter, but was living on the street, was kicked to death by a person just because it was there. In other words, they think that citizens will be willing to show indifference to a life-threatening disease like malaria. If they do not step back, we know that the citizens of this country, who expect justice for every living creature, will not either. Because the issue is a matter of justice, a matter of the right to life, and a matter of living together and equally in a world that is sufficient for everyone.
The government may attempt to take the lives of 3 million stray animals. They may preach that the so-called representatives of this nation who have suffered lacerations in the Turkish Grand National Assembly should be killed. They may even want to turn the country into another Hayırsızada, where 80 thousand dogs were dumped in 1910. After all, in the words of Shakespeare, “Hell is empty, and all the devils are here.”
But let’s not forget that millions in this country defend the right to life of stray animals. As they say, keep fighting until the last cage is broken. For humans, animals, and every living thing.
Some of them are contemporary artists who are “roommates” or “companions” with animals. Naturally, they are against the law change. Ali Taptık, Kerimcan Güleryüz, Ahmet Rüstem, Hakan, Ali Elmacı, and Sinem Yörük have shared both their objections and their relationships with their animals.
Ali Taptık, photography artist: All I think of is Hayırsızada Massacre
If it weren’t for Burçin and Ayşe, we would never have met Korona (Kori). Corona is a huge hybrid dog. His mother is a Beagle, but we don’t know his father. The mother takes shelter in Burçin’s garden and gives birth. Ayşe adopts one of the nine puppies. Since he knows that I am also looking for a friend at the same time, he sends me his photos and I meet with Bear, as they call him. On our first day, Kori saves me from going wrong. More loyal than any friend, my dear, he stood by me in my bad days and healed me. It made me realize the limp in my walk and helped me understand the confusion inside me and the enthusiasm I was suppressing. We’ve been together for four years. It also helped me meet people who get up early in the morning like me. Even though our furry environment may not be hygienic enough for everyone, I am very happy with my roommate. As soon as I heard the proposed law on the agenda, my mind went to the Hayirsızada Massacre. As if we haven’t learned anything from the past, Istanbul is about to betray again, for the sake of order, the creatures that will protect us from earthquakes to fires.
Ali Elmacı, painter: If I were a dog given the choice between a shelter or death, I would choose death
They said they would not kill the animals, but instead place them in shelters. However, if I were a dog given the choice between a shelter or death, I would choose death because the situation in the shelters is that bad. It’s crucial to improve the conditions of the shelters. Large areas of land are needed for animals to shelter, play, have their basic needs met, and live in healthy conditions, with all necessary health services covered by the municipality or the state. For example, if they want to see a good model, they can look at Angel’s Farm in Izmir. This animal sanctuary protects many animals through donations and ensures quality of life for the lifetime of the animals.
“When it comes to killing, we often hear objections like, “The laws in the USA and Europe are the same, so why are you reacting to our practices?” Even Mansur Yavaş made such a statement. If you believe in European laws so much, then go ahead and bring him everything in a civilized manner. Everyone acts as it suits them.”
This could cause a lot of suffering to the animals while they are in shelters. I think that all animals should be spayed or neutered and rehabilitated either in safe shelters or in their own neighborhood (if they are aggressive) so they can live their lives peacefully. No one should have the right to take another being’s life.
We all know about Mao’s sparrow massacre. A man makes such a wrong decision and kills all the sparrows in the country, and a year later, a locust attack and famine occurs lasted for three years. When they realize their mistake, it is too late; two million sparrows are killed, and hundreds of thousands of people die from famine as a result. They are disrupting the balance of nature by bringing sparrows from the Soviets as a solution. In other words, we should not disturb the balance of nature. I find it absurd, ugly, and outrageous to suggest killing as a solution. We must find a way for all species to survive. Research shows that the probability of dogs causing human death is less than 1 percent, while traffic accidents pose a much higher risk.
Kerimcan Güleryüz: This situation needs to be handled with care and patience by genuine professionals
I find it completely unacceptable that the proposed solution for human beings taking responsibility for the care of living creatures is simply a legalized form of animal genocide. This is not a solution. The unreasonable expectation of finding homes for these poor animals in just 30 days amounts to a clear death sentence.
This situation needs to be handled with care and patience by genuine professionals in the field. How we care for the beings who depend on us is a measure of our humanity.
Ahmet Rüstem and Hakan Sorar, artist duo: Policies regarding stray animals lead to deep divisions in society
In Turkey, changes in policies and agendas regarding stray animals, particularly dogs, have led to deep divisions in society. There is serious tension between those who defend the rights of people who have lost their lives in stray dog attacks and those who want to protect the lives of stray animals. Superficial explanations from popular culture and social media influencers further complicate this issue.
Due to media influence, even non-banned dogs are constantly targeted. Our dog Lupo, who has lived in this country for 12 years, was frequently complained about as a banned breed and was subjected to verbal and visual violence. We can imagine the pressure put on pit bulls, one of the world’s cutest dogs, and their owners. Throughout this process, we encountered an approach that normalizes the killing of stray animals and banned breeds. Incidents of ill-treatment and violence against animals were not adequately punished, and dogs were discriminated against based on their appearance.
The streets are often unsafe for both humans and animals. According to reports from TÜİK, the number of people who lost their lives in traffic accidents and those who were attacked or harassed on the streets is much higher than the number of dog attacks. Therefore, it is not fair to target stray animals based on isolated incidents of dog attacks reported in the media. This is an unacceptable approach, as many other dangerous situations should be treated in a similar way if we were to apply this logic.
Our country needs tolerance, love, and proper policies. Humans are not the only creatures in nature. By concreting and destroying green areas, we have left no living space for other creatures. We have severed our ties with nature by seeing ourselves as superior to all living things. One of the biggest problems is not reestablishing our connection with nature and not respecting the right to life of other creatures.
Throughout its history, humanity has evolved by observing nature and staying in harmony with it. By turning caves into homes, humans positioned themselves by observing nature and developed survival strategies. However, over time, humans turned into entities that consume nature. Today, we must try to re-understand nature and all living things without ignoring them, and respect the right to life of all living things. We believe that if the right policies are implemented by tolerant and loving people, this problem will be solved. The solution should not involve killing or destruction.
Sinem Yörük- founder of Gallery Espas, Qatar Museums Photography Biennial Founder founding member
As someone who loves animals, I see the proposed change in the law as a major disappointment. It’s concerning to take a step back like this, especially when we haven’t yet seen the full impact of the Animal Protection Law introduced in 2021.
We understand that a 3-year period may not be sufficient to effectively implement a law mandating sterilization to manage and decrease the growing population of stray animals using humane methods. Additionally, there is uncertainty regarding the extent of implementation achieved. Having feedback and data from the field about the effectiveness of different methods would allow for a strategic and informed approach to the program’s progress. Unfortunately, such data is not currently available, and even if it were, I would not have access to it.
In exploring solutions for common challenges, we can look to Bhutan as a positive example. In the initial stages, Bhutan took a proactive approach by providing training and building capacity. At the same time, the government promoted the pursuit of veterinary studies among youth, with the goal of creating employment opportunities for professionals in the country. Over the course of more than ten years, the HSI/India team has trained veterinarians and paramedics, who have gone on to work in various regions across the country. This approach has also been implemented in Malaysia in recent years. Thanks to the voluntary efforts of charitable organizations and the support of companies that manufacture medical equipment, foreign veterinarians have not only assisted with sterilizations, but have also taught new and more effective sterilization techniques to local veterinarians.
The proposed new law is not ethical from a medical standpoint. Euthanizing healthy animals living on the streets without fully exploring and implementing all available options is barbaric.
“I believe that in 2021, the law introducing a digital identity system by inserting chips into pets such as cats and dogs, and imposing sanctions on those who abandon their pets on the streets, should be implemented. These sanctions should include much more severe penalties. Otherwise, the proliferation of stray animals will unfortunately not be prevented, regardless of whether this law is passed.”
