Thousands of people took to the streets of Istanbul on Saturday to protest against a potential law which they fear could lead to the mass killing of dogs.
The draft bill, which aims to regulate the country’s stray dogs, has attracted protests on an almost daily basis for weeks.
It has also seen UK celebrities speak out against what they branded an “absolute travesty when it comes to animal welfare”.
About four million stray dogs roam around the streets of Turkey. Although many are harmless, numerous people, including children, have been attacked in Istanbul and elsewhere.
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The bill, which is expected to be voted on in the next few days as deliberations start today, aims to make streets safer as it mandates that municipalities collect stray dogs and house them in shelters where they would be neutered and spayed.
Dogs that are in pain, terminally ill, pose a health risk to humans or are aggressive would be euthanised.
Animal rights activists worry that some municipalities might kill dogs on the pretext that they are ill, rather than allocate resources to shelter them, or send them to neglected and overcrowded shelters.
The government denies the bill would lead to a widespread culling and the country’s justice minister said anyone killing strays “for no reason” would be punished.
‘Absolute travesty’
TV presenter and wildlife campaigner Chris Packham was among the UK celebrities who spoke out against the proposed bill.
Appearing in a video on X alongside his poodle Nancy, the Springwatch co-host, 63, said: “I love my dogs.
“I love animals. I love all life.
“At the moment in Turkey, there is the potential for an absolute travesty when it comes to animal welfare.”
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Downton Abbey star Peter Egan, best known as Paul Ryman in the classic sitcom Ever Decreasing Circles, addressed his followers on X saying he had an “urgent appeal for the whole world”.
The 77-year-old actor also said: “We cannot allow this to happen… Stop this appalling crime happening.”
Model Heather Mills, 56, said: “The bill must be stopped.”
“Even healthy, non-aggressive animals could be killed, while animal production and cruelty go unchecked,” she said, while urging people to join efforts to ensure MPs reject the bill.
Under the proposed legislation, mayors who fail to meet their responsibilities in controlling stray dogs would face imprisonment of six months to two years.
Fines on people who abandon pets would be raised from 2,000 lira (£47) to 60,000 lira (£42).