Striking comments from Özgür Özel on 'stray animals': 'We must acknowledge the problem'

Özel answered questions from journalists on the TV100 channel. Regarding the question posed to him about 'stray animals', the CHP Chairman stated that the solution is not 'euthanasia'.

The AKP had brought the issue of 'euthanizing' stray animals to the agenda through a proposed change in the Animal Rights Law, which drew backlash.

"A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION"

Responding to the question about the current stray animal issue, Özgür Özel stated that there is a stray animal problem in Turkey, saying, "How long has it been around? It has been around for a long time, but it has become serious since COVID.

Because they reproduced during that time, and it is understood that sufficient effort was not put into sterilization. At this point, it has become a threat to those going to school, taking the shuttle, or going to the mosque in the mornings.

This is turning into a class issue. It is a problem for those who do not have a car, use public transport, or do not live in a gated community, whereas it does not seem to be one for others. This is a very dangerous situation. First of all, we must acknowledge the problem," he said.

"EUTHANASIA EXISTS IN THIS WAY..."

Speaking about solutions to the problem, Özel said, "I am clear about the solution. In 2020, we established a commission in parliament on this issue. Deputies from 4 parties participated. With a consensus, and in a way that we are all proud of, the Animal Rights Protection Commission report was published and discussed in the general assembly. When we look at this report, it says on page 101 that an Animal Rights Fund will be established. With this fund, an effective sterilization mobilization will be carried out, and enough shelters will be built.

All parties said 'Yes' to this; if we had done this for 4 years, we would not be in this situation anyway. Because we, as the legislature, make these proposals, but the executive branch needs to take action on this. It needs to establish this fund. There is no such thing as euthanasia here.

Euthanasia exists in this way: It exists for untreatable patients, to end the animal's unalleviated suffering, or in cases like rabies. Outside of these, there is no euthanasia. The situation we are facing today is this: 'There is an economic problem. We don't have the money to allocate to these, the public will save money. We will kill these animals.'

We are ready to take responsibility. We are also ready to strengthen the donation aspect."

"COMPROMISE IS A HUMANE THING"

Expressing that the solution is not 'euthanasia' as the AKP discusses, Özgür Özel said the following:

"This is a two-sided problem. What animal rights advocates say is true, and those who are uncomfortable with this are also right. Those who don't experience it don't know. A small child leaves the house, goes to the shuttle, and 15 dogs come and attack; this cannot be. We must prevent this, but the solution is not culling, not euthanasia. We should not make this a tool for politics. We will sit down as parties and reach an agreement, but it is impossible for us to agree on culling or euthanasia. Compromise is a humane thing; we cannot go for such a barbaric thing.

We cannot say there is no such problem; there is such a problem. It is a very serious security threat, especially for the poor, children, and the elderly."

IMM'S ROME INVITATION

Özel also spoke about the journalist invitations made by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) to Rome:

"The AK Party does this five times a month; the CHP has done it once in five years. The IMM's Rome trip is a lobbying effort. This is the most important step regarding the Olympics to be held in Istanbul, a promotional activity. If journalists were taken with municipal resources to do PR work for the benefit of the CHP or the mayor, that would not be a pleasant situation. This is advocacy and lobbying for Istanbul. When a good result is achieved from this, we will all win together.

I do not see the matter as problematic or troublesome. I wish it were a shameful situation to make such an invitation to journalists. It used to be like that. Newspapers would cover their own expenses."

"I AM SENSITIVE"

"I am going to Bucharest on June 8th and I am not taking any journalists; I was in Bucharest on April 10th and I didn't take any; I went to Cyprus and I didn't take any. Only on the Palestine issue did a journalist say, 'I would definitely like to be there, I can contribute,' and we told them that these journalist invitation matters are a bit delicate, perhaps if your institution considers covering it, it might be possible."

"A RALLY STAGE COSTS 5 MILLION TL"

"A rally stage costs 2.5-5 million TL. That's why I use a bus. That's why our treasurer likes me very much. I had a stage set up in 4-5 of my 105 rallies; for the rest, I spoke from the bus. I am sensitive about spending the party's money."