AKP group requested, 'euthanasia' term removed from the bill: It will be performed under veterinary supervision

Deliberations on the Bill on Amendments to the Animal Protection Law continue at the TBMM Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs Committee. During the discussions, the term "euthanasia" in Article 5 of the bill was removed from the text following a motion for amendment submitted by the AKP.

Before the first paragraph of Article 13 of the bill, the following provision was added: 'For dogs taken to shelters that pose a danger to the life and health of humans and animals, whose negative behaviors cannot be controlled, that have contagious or untreatable diseases, or whose ownership is prohibited, the measures specified in the 3rd paragraph of Article 9 of the Veterinary Services, Plant Health, Food and Feed Law shall be applied.'

Following the approval of Article 5, the other articles of the bill continue to be discussed.

"IT WILL BE PERFORMED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A VETERINARIAN"

The provisions that will replace the term "euthanasia" according to the motion submitted by the AKP, which states that "for dogs taken to shelters that pose a danger to the life and health of humans and animals, whose negative behaviors cannot be controlled, that have contagious or untreatable diseases, or whose ownership is prohibited, the measures specified in the third paragraph of Article 9 of the Veterinary Services, Plant Health, Food and Feed Law No. 5996 dated 11/6/2010 shall be applied," are as follows:

"It is forbidden to perform euthanasia on animals. However, in cases of diseases that cause pain and suffering to animals or where there is no possibility of recovery, for the purpose of preventing or eradicating an acute contagious animal disease, or in situations that pose a risk to human health, or in cases where behaviors pose a danger to the life and health of humans and animals and negative behaviors cannot be controlled, a decision to perform euthanasia may be made by a veterinarian. The euthanasia procedure shall be performed by a veterinarian or under the supervision of a veterinarian."

KEY MOMENTS FROM THE DELIBERATIONS

AKP Amasya Deputy Hasan Çilez stated that they have seen the criticisms directed at the proposal, evaluated these criticisms, and submitted a motion.

Stating that they have received tens of thousands of emails on the subject, Çilez noted that there is a polarization at the current point and that they want to resolve the issue for this reason.

Pointing out that local governments should not avoid their duties, Çilez said, "Let everyone do their job, let these animals live. The way for this has been cleared. We want these animals to be rehabilitated. These animals should be brought to a shelter and registered. The relevant ministries are already providing a contribution of up to 40 percent."

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Murat Emir stated that they are trying to make the voice of the public heard. Emir argued that the current bill has collapsed with this motion.

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Ali Mahir Başarır stated that he discussed the issue with the AKP group, his own group, and committee members.

Başarır made the following statements:

"We wanted to reach a consensus as much as we could. Unfortunately, it is not a proposal that will meet at a common ground. Euthanasia is being removed with the motion, but there are many articles that feed it. Furthermore, all responsibility is being placed on the municipalities. Until now, no one has fulfilled their responsibility, neither the central government nor the local governments. Now, criminal sanctions are being imposed on municipalities today. My proposal is this; let this bill be postponed to October. What are we going to do with more than 4 million animals on the streets? Neither the AKP nor the CHP municipalities have the infrastructure."

Responding to Başarır's criticisms, AKP's Çilez noted that the CHP has shifted from protecting the rights of animals to protecting the rights of municipalities, and that they do not find this approach correct.

Çilez said, "We do not make a distinction between municipalities. We all live on these streets. Let us collect these dogs, vaccinate them, treat them, and neuter them. If there are no shelters, our relevant ministries provide support of up to 40 percent. If the issue is money, let us find other resources as well."

DEVA Party Mersin Deputy Mehmet Emin Ekmen said that everyone shares the pain of families who have been victims of attacks by stray dogs, but that in order to solve this problem, they must act in consensus and consult with all parties.

In the vote held, the AKP's motion was accepted. Deliberations on the articles of the bill are continuing.