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Agence France-Presse

Turkey’s parliament approved on Monday a move to euthanise some of the country’s four million stray dogs, a measure opponents say could lead to a vast animal cull.
The controversial article, part of a draft law on the fate of the animals, says those who are sick or deemed aggressive must be put down.
The rest of the bill is being debated today and expected to be adopted in the next few days.
The government says the euthanasia clause is needed to prevent dog attacks and the spread of rabies.
It says the other homeless dogs should be captured en masse, placed in animal shelters and put up for adoption.
Critics say relying on animal sanctuaries and adoption is ultimately unworkable because of the numbers involved.

Animal rights campaigners, who fear the draft law is a cover for a huge cull despite government denials, instead advocate a mass sterilisation campaign.
MPs began examining the 17-clause bill on Sunday, when deputies opposed to the measure protested by putting on white gloves stained with fake blood.
The emotional debate has revived memories of a 1910 tragedy when the Ottoman authorities rounded up around 60,000 stray dogs in Istanbul and sent them to a deserted rock in the Sea of Marmara.
With nothing else to eat, the dogs tore each other to pieces.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said ahead of the debate that Turkey faced a problem “like no other civilised country” and which was “growing exponentially”.
The president, whose conservative AKP party and its allies hold an absolute majority in parliament, said on Wednesday people wanted “safe streets”.
The opposition Republican People’s Party, which controls Istanbul and other major cities, has said its mayors will not apply the law if it is passed.

Demonstrations have taken place in recent weeks, including inside parliament.
The euthanasia clause adopted on Monday says dogs will be put down if they “present a danger to the life or health of people and animals, display uncontrollable negative behaviour, have a contagious or incurable disease or whose adoption is forbidden”.
The government has said mayors who refuse to carry out the law could be jailed.
It has banned visitors’ access to parliament to avoid further protests.


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Animals

Turkey approves controversial stray dog cull

A dog with a banner that reads “Withdraw the law” around its neck is seen during a rally to protest against a bill drafted by the government that aims to remove stray dogs off the country’s streets, in Istanbul on July 23. Photo: AFP

Animal rights activists hold dog masks during a rally against managing the country’s large stray dog population law. Photo: EPA-EFE

Members of the Turkish parliament vote during a session on a bill aimed at regulating the country’s large stray dog population, at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in Ankara, Turkey, on July 29. Photo: EPA-EFE

Turkey proposes bill to get stray dogs off the street, but critics say it’s inhumane

Stray dogs are seen at an animal rehabilitation centre in Istanbul, Turkey, in May. Photo: Reuters

Animal rights activists shout slogans during a protest in Istanbul, Turkey, in May. Photo: AP

Animal-lover Birsen Ertana pets stray dogs in Istanbul, Turkey, in June. Photo: EPA-EFE

Turkey to regulate stray dog population, raising fears about mass killings: ‘this spells death’

A Turkish parliamentary commission on Wednesday began a tense debate on a bill designed to manage the country’s large stray dog population which animal rights advocates fear could result in the widespread killing of the animals. Photo: AP

Turkey’s ruling party presented a bill to parliament that aims to round up millions of stray dogs, a plan that has alarmed animal lovers who say a mass neutering campaign would be a better solution than locking dogs up in shelters. Photo: Reuters

Animal rights activists stage a days-long protest in a public garden in Ankara on Tuesday. The banner reads: “You cannot collect, imprison and kill! #withdraw the legislation.” Photo: AP

Surge in stray dogs in Hong Kong’s New Territories sparks calls for action

Stray dogs are being cared for at Paws Guardian Rescue Shelter in Tai Tong. Photo: Edmond So

Paws Guardian Rescue Shelter has reached full capacity in housing animals, a volunteer says. Photo: Edmond So

Larry the cat is training yet another UK prime minister in Downing Street

Larry the cat, Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, is training his sixth prime minister. Photo: AP

Larry, the cat has lived in Downing Street for more than 13 years. Photo: EPA-EFE

Larry, the Downing Street cat, sits next to a member of the media after a cabinet meeting of the British government in London, on July 23. Photo: EPA-EFE

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The euthanasia clause adopted on Monday says dogs will be put down if they “present a danger to the life or health of people and animals”.


Pets

Turkey

Turkey approves controversial stray dog cull

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}The euthanasia clause adopted on Monday says dogs will be put down if they “present a danger to the life or health of people and animals”.

The euthanasia clause adopted on Monday says dogs will be put down if they “present a danger to the life or health of people and animals”.