The Turkish parliament has voted in favor of a controversial law that allows for the euthanasia of street dogs deemed sick or aggressive.
On Monday, a majority of MPs in Ankara approved the fifth of 17 articles in a new law that began to be discussed on Sunday. This specific section of the law targets street dogs that "pose a threat to the life and health of people and animals."
According to the law, dogs exhibiting "uncontrollable negative behavior" and those suffering from contagious or incurable diseases are to be euthanized. The entire law could be passed in the coming days.
Animal rights activists fear that a major campaign to kill street dogs is now looming, as reported by Die Presse.
Protests Erupt in Major Cities
Opposition parties, including those controlling the municipalities of Ankara and Istanbul, have vowed not to enforce the new regulation if it passes.
On Sunday, opposition MPs protested in parliament by wearing white gloves soaked in fake blood, symbolizing their objection to the law, which also includes a campaign to sterilize street dogs.
The Turkish government defends the regulation, citing an increase in attacks by stray dogs and cases of rabies.
"Our people want safe streets," declared President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. His Islamic-conservative AKP party and its allies hold a majority in parliament.
Historical Context
President Erdogan estimated that there are about four million stray dogs in Turkey, more than in any other developed country.
The decision has faced backlash, with protests erupting in recent weeks against the planned killings.
The discussions have also evoked memories of a grim historical event.
In 1910, during the Ottoman Empire, tens of thousands of stray dogs were captured in Istanbul and transported to a deserted island in the Sea of Marmara. The dogs, left without food, resorted to eating each other, and most eventually starved to death.
