Turkey’s interior minister has vowed to fully enforce a controversial law aimed at removing millions of stray dogs from the streets following the tragic death of a toddler.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the decision after two-year-old Rana El Selci was fatally attacked by a pack of stray dogs in Konya, central Turkey. The incident, which occurred on Friday, reignited concerns over the estimated four million stray dogs believed to roam Turkey’s streets and rural areas.
In a video posted on social media, Yerlikaya warned municipalities to act swiftly. “Either they will do this job or I will use whatever authority the law gives me to the fullest,” he stated.
Following the toddler’s death, municipal workers in Konya began rounding up stray dogs, and a criminal investigation was launched. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later confirmed the government’s intention to ensure the law’s strict enforcement.
The legislation, introduced last summer, requires municipalities to collect stray dogs, house them in shelters, and vaccinate, neuter, or spay them before making them available for adoption. Dogs found to be in pain, terminally ill, or posing a risk to public health are to be euthanised. Despite its passage, the law has only been partially enforced by local authorities.
The law has drawn sharp criticism from animal welfare groups, who describe it as the “massacre law.” Critics argue that the regulation may lead to the widespread killing of dogs or their confinement in poorly maintained shelters. When the law was introduced, Turkey’s main opposition party declared its municipalities would refuse to implement the round-up.
Animal rights activists are particularly concerned that some municipalities may bypass proper procedures and kill dogs under the guise of illness to reduce costs. Videos appearing to show deceased cats and dogs buried in ditches have been circulating on social media, further fueling public concern.
Turkey has a complicated history with stray dogs. The Animal Rights Federation (HAYTAP) recently highlighted a previous effort to eliminate stray dogs in 1910. In an attempt to “Westernise” Istanbul, the Sultan ordered tens of thousands of stray dogs to be shipped to a nearby island with no food or water. This act resulted in starvation, cannibalism, and drownings as dogs attempted to swim back to the mainland. HAYTAP warned that past mistakes must not be repeated.
Admiration for dogs remains strong in Turkish society. During the COVID-19 pandemic, then-Minister of Justice Abdulhamit Gul shared a social media post showing himself petting a dog, urging people not to abandon animals during difficult times.
Public demonstrations have erupted across Turkish cities, with thousands demanding the law’s reversal. Protests have also emerged in various European countries, where critics warn that the law may deter tourists from visiting Turkey.
Opponents argue that previous regulations, which required stray dogs to be caught, neutered, or spayed and then returned to their original locations, were not properly enforced—leading to the current rise in the stray dog population.
As Turkish authorities push forward with the new law, concerns remain about the welfare of these animals and how municipalities will manage their care.
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