I recently posted a photograph of a cute schnauzer in Reykjavík, Iceland which lead me to wanting to share an interesting fact about the city. What I discovered was that the capital of fire and ice had banned dogs for almost 60 years. Surprising, but if you know me... i had to dig a bit deeper and what I found was a bit unsettling.
Reykjavík once banned domesticated canine companions for 60 years, allowing only branded, working farm dogs in the area. The ban was enforced due to an outbreak of Echinococcosis, a tapeworm that could be transmitted from dogs to humans. Thus, my journey down the rabbit hole continued... hidden in newspaper articles of that era is the reality that many dogs were shot/killed on sight and buried (a procedure for the tapeworm epidemic) an aspect of history that is often overlooked. While the ban was relaxed in 1984 to allow for special exemptions, it wasn’t until 2007 that it transitioned to a permit-based system rather than a strict prohibition.
It’s hard not to see echoes of this past in today’s crisis in Turkey, where new laws targeting stray animals have been passed under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In Turkey, stray animals have long held a special place in the culture, celebrated as street companions and treated with affection by the people (fed, sheltered and citizens even coming together to pay for veterinary expenses). But now, under a law passed in July 2024, all strays must be brought to shelters, vaccinated, and, if they exhibit any signs of terminal illness or aggression, euthanized. Dogs that remain healthy and adoptable have just 30 days to find homes-that is if they fall under an "acceptable breed" (this is a whole different post).
To understand the public sentiment on this issue, a recent Metropoll survey found that only 2.7% of Turkish respondents support euthanasia as a solution. Yet, the law was still approved with 275 votes in favor and 224 against.
Historically, Turkey has had progressive legislation to protect animals. In 2004, a general animal protection law was enacted, which covered everything from animal use in biomedical research to the management of stray animals. Notably, Article 6/4 mandated that stray dogs be returned to their capture site after sterilization and vaccination, while Article 7/1 required municipalities to implement local management strategies for stray dogs. Then, in 2021, a new law further advanced protections by redefining animals as living beings instead of commodities, mandating microchipping of pets, and requiring sterilization of homeless animals.
Despite these strides, the most recent law feels like a reversal of Turkey’s progress on animal welfare. Turkish shelters are already under immense strain, unable to accommodate the estimated 4 million stray animals in the country, with only 322 shelters nationwide capable of holding around 105,000 animals. It's reported that shelter dogs had only 2 square meters per dog on average, meaning overcrowding and as most of us know - overcrowding leads to the quick spread of disease and health issues.
Erdogan's new law has been met with resistance. Turkey's Republican Party, which opposes Erdogan’s party, has publicly refused to enforce the law in several major cities, even though mayors who do not comply could face up to two years in prison. This political tension has led to suspicions that Erdogan’s law may serve as a way to undermine and reduce opposing parties under the guise of public safety.
What’s deeply disturbing are reports of the inhumane methods used for euthanasia in some areas, which go far beyond what most would consider humane. Videos and photos have surfaced, showing animals being put into mass pit graves, and stories have emerged of animals suffering painful deaths through methods such as strangulation, beatings, and even being put into these pits still alive await burial, rumours have surface that animals have been tortured prior to slaughter to add to the brutality of this.
It’s heartbreaking to see such cruelty in a time when we have humane methods to handle stray populations. More importantly, with time, care, and commitment to ethical practices, dogs can be rehabilitated. Yes, public safety is paramount, and I have great sympathy for families affected by stray animal incidents, but there must be a more compassionate solution. Culling has proven ineffective in the past, reducing numbers on the short term, but, leading to re-population/reproduction from the remaining animals and lack of enforcement on licensing, and sterilization.
If you want to help bring attention to this issue, please consider signing this petition to demand more humane treatment for stray animals in Turkey: Sign the Petition. Follow @TheSaveMovement on Instagram for more information.
Our voices can make a difference to those who don't have one (I feel like it's our duty to advocate for this as pet guardians), together we can advocate for compassionate solutions that protect both people and animals. More importantly we can invoke change by donating to Turkish shelters, promoting adoption from the country, and more importantly raising awareness to these inhumane practices that are not only present in Turkey but the world.
Download and print a letter template to hand to your local Turkish embassy or consulate to explain why you are protesting.