Sanctions for municipalities that fail to take measures regarding stray animals!
It has been learned that sanctions will be imposed on municipalities that fail to take measures regarding the AKP's legislative proposal, which has sparked public backlash and calls for the euthanasia of stray animals.
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A new draft law on animal rights has been prepared as part of an initiative launched under the instructions of AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
According to the proposal, efforts will first be made to find homes for stray animals. A 30-day waiting period will be observed for this purpose. Dogs that are not adopted within this timeframe will be euthanized.
While public debate continues regarding the draft law prepared for the euthanasia of stray animals, AKP sources stated that sanctions will be imposed on municipalities that fail to take measures.
Sources indicated that the potential sanctions include cutting off municipal funding as well as the option of launching investigations into mayors.
AKP Group Chairman Abdullah Güler, in an interview with Nagehan Alçı from Habertürk, said, "Of course we are discussing it, Ms. Nagehan; there are municipalities that are abusing the situation or doing nothing at all. There may be a regulation regarding the intervention of ministries and governorates." On the other hand, Güler emphasized that not all stray dogs would be collected, stating, "Our goal is to correctly identify the problem and, along with that, to collect dogs that have formed packs, which affect public health and prevent streets from being safe, and to take them to shelters to be neutered and adopted. The euthanasia of dogs that cannot be rehabilitated from aggression and have no possibility of being adopted is the final step." had used the expressions.
STRAY, INFIRM, OR DANGEROUS ANIMALS WILL LIVE IN SHELTERS UNTIL THEY ARE ADOPTED
According to a report by Yücel Kayaoğlu from the Türkiye newspaper, known for its proximity to the government, the draft proposal stipulates that provincial special administrations, metropolitan municipalities, provincial municipalities, metropolitan district municipalities with a population exceeding 25,000, and other municipalities will establish animal shelters to ensure the rehabilitation of stray, infirm, or dangerous animals and to house them until they are adopted. To cover the costs of these shelters, municipalities will be required to allocate 0.5 percent of their budget revenues for a period of three years. This rate will be applied as 0.3 percent for metropolitan municipalities.
IF A MUNICIPALITY FAILS TO PERFORM ITS DUTY, GOVERNORATES WILL STEP IN
Certain sanctions will be imposed on municipalities that fail to do this. In cases where municipalities are ineffective, governorates will be able to establish shelters by utilizing service procurement methods. The expenses will be collected from the municipalities or provincial special administrations. If collection is not possible in this manner, deductions will be made from the municipalities' shares from the Iller Bank.
AKP sources stated, "Those who do not perform their duties will pay the price. If necessary, investigations will be opened against mayors for neglect of duty. Those who are victims of stray dogs may also file compensation lawsuits against the relevant municipality."
WHAT DID AKP SOURCES SAY REGARDING THE "EUTHANASIA" ALLEGATION?
Despite the statements made by Abdullah Güler, AKP sources speaking to the Türkiye newspaper say that "there will be no step back from implementing euthanasia for dogs that are not adopted within one month."