Turkey's Stray Animal Law, in Effect Since August 2024, Mandates Shelter Collection and Allows Euthanasia in Certain Cases

The regulation, which took effect on August 2, 2024, requires stray animals to be collected and kept in shelters. It also allows euthanasia for stray animals that pose a danger to human and animal life or health, have uncontrollable negative behavior, carry infectious or incurable diseases, or are prohibited from being adopted. According to official statements, thousands of animals, mainly stray dogs, have been rounded up in the two years since.

During this period, claims and images have emerged suggesting that stray animals were killed en masse in various provinces. BBC Turkish investigated the situation on the ground, speaking with activists and municipalities. This report by Hilken Doğaç Boran contains descriptions of violence and neglect that some readers may find disturbing.