Turkish Veterinary Medical Association reacts to legislative proposal: 'We will not comply'

The Turkish Veterinary Medical Association has issued a statement against the legislative proposal that includes the killing of stray animals by injection. Stating that the increase in the stray animal population is due to local governments failing to fulfill the requirements of the Animal Protection Law, veterinarians announced that if the legislative proposal, which includes the killing of stray animals by injection, is passed, they will not implement it.

Stating that their opinions were not sought regarding the Animal Protection Law, veterinarians used the following expressions:"We have learned from the press that a draft law amendment regarding the Animal Protection Law is being prepared in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Interior, and that the proposal will come to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) in the coming weeks.".

Noting that the euthanasia and culling of healthy animals are also far from scientific in the view of veterinarians,  the physicians reminded everyone of universal medical values:

"As veterinarians, we will not perform euthanasia even if this law is passed. Contrary to what is believed, this proposed method is not cost-effective either. Based on information we have gathered from media reports, we are concerned that the provisions introduced by this draft, like previous amendments, are detached from the field and scientific reality, are impossible to implement, contain changes that disturb the public conscience, and will cause our country to lose another 20 years in this area. Before the Animal Protection Law No. 5199, which was enacted in 2004, stray animals were unfortunately destroyed using inhumane methods. However, following growing social awareness and objections, Law No. 5199 was enacted, and all forms of culling were prohibited."

"ANIMAL PROTECTION LAW NO. 5199 WAS NOT IMPLEMENTED"

Pointing out that the stray animal population has become a problem because, with few exceptions, local governments have not acted in accordance with the Animal Protection Law, the physicians stated, "According to Law No. 5199, local governments were supposed to establish temporary shelters, carry out the treatment and rehabilitation of stray animals, and return them to their habitats after spaying, neutering, and vaccinating them." The physicians criticized politicians, stating that animal rights are only "remembered from election to election."

Veterinarians stated that despite the Animal Protection Law No. 5199, there have been no inspections, no budget allocations, and no sanctions applied to those who fail to fulfill the requirements of the law. Stating that stray animals are rounded up into unsuitable shelter conditions, the veterinarians said that spaying and neutering procedures are not performed on the grounds that they are costly, and used the following expressions regarding the bill:

"The euthanasia procedure mentioned in the bill refers to the termination of an animal's life through medical methods in a fast, painless, and suffering-free manner. Euthanasia is a method applied for medical reasons in cases where death is imminent, or where pain and suffering are permanent or cannot be alleviated."

"PERFORMING EUTHANASIA ON HEALTHY ANIMALS IS NOT ETHICAL"

Euthanasia can only be performed by veterinarians, and when applied to a healthy animal, it carries no meaning other than slaughter. The euthanasia and culling of healthy animals is not ethical, humane, or conscientious for veterinarians, nor is it compatible with universal medical values. As veterinarians, we will not perform euthanasia even if this law is passed.

"PROCEDURES ARE MORE COSTLY THAN NEUTERING"

The procedures to be applied before euthanizing an animal are more costly and difficult than neutering, and it cannot be considered an active method for controlling the stray animal population. Furthermore, in this age of communication and in the 'Century of Turkey,' it will negatively affect our country's perception in the international public opinion.