She lost her life in a dog attack: Were the dogs that took 2-year-old Rana's life abducted?

In Konya, 2-year-old Rana El Selci, who was attacked by stray dogs, has lost her life. Following the incident, claims emerged on social media that the dogs had been abducted by an animal welfare association.

TERRIFYING MOMENTS: CITIZENS INTERVENED

The incident occurred on Şehit Erdal Özçelik Street in the Başak neighborhood. Two-year-old Syrian national Rana El Selci was attacked by a large number of stray dogs roaming the street. Upon hearing the little girl's screams, nearby citizens intervened quickly and drove the dogs away. The critically injured toddler was taken to Konya City Hospital by medical teams that arrived at the scene upon notification. However, despite all interventions, little Rana could not be saved.

STATEMENTS FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND MUNICIPALITY

The Konya Governor's Office issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the incident and emphasized that efforts to collect stray dogs are continuing intensively. Governor's office officials stated that the incident is being investigated from multiple angles.

Karatay Mayor Hasan Kılca, in his statement, noted that municipal teams are making great efforts to collect stray dogs and said the following:

"Despite all attempts at obstruction and attacks on our employees, we are collecting stray animals day and night. Within the framework of the law that came into effect in August 2024, we have established our collection areas from the very first day. I want all our citizens to know that we are implementing the most intensive work plan in the field to make our streets safe."

DEBATE ON SOCIAL MEDIA: “DOGS WERE ABDUCTED” CLAIM

A major debate began on social media following the incident. Some users claimed that the dogs responsible for the attack were removed from the area by an animal welfare association operating in Konya.

A person alleged to be a member of the association at the center of the claims shared the following on their social media account:

"The incident occurred near the area where I feed animals. We went early in the morning and took out as many dogs as we could and took them to the site."

Following this post, social media users reacted to the association, demanding that the dogs be found and the incident be clarified in all its aspects. Association officials, however, denied the allegations, arguing that they had no involvement in the incident.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

While authorities are deepening the investigation into the fate of the dogs that caused little Rana's death, it was learned that security camera footage of the incident is being examined. Officials emphasized that efforts to bring stray dogs under control will continue.