Home > Current Affairs News > Union of Turkish Bar Associations warns the Grand National Assembly: 'A massacre of animals will occur'

Union of Turkish Bar Associations warns the Grand National Assembly: 'A massacre of animals will occur'

The Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) has reacted to the legislative proposal prepared by the AKP, which envisions the "euthanasia" of stray dogs. In a written statement, it was stated, "It is obvious that if the mentioned legislative proposal passes in parliament, an animal massacre unprecedented in the history of our country will occur."

12punto

The Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) has reacted to the AKP's legislative amendment proposal, which includes a clause for the "euthanasia of stray animals" to solve the "stray dog" problem.

The regulation concerning stray animals, which has been targeted by the government and its supporters, is nearing its final stage.

The legislative proposal that the AKP is preparing to submit to Parliament envisions the 'slaughter of dogs.'

In a written statement issued by the Union of Turkish Bar Associations regarding the preparation of the legislative proposal, the following expressions were used: "Insisting on massacre and isolation by rejecting the stated methods is a rejection of reason and conscience. Institutionalizing and moving this mentality, which is contrary to ethical values, social norms, and the right to life of animals that we can perceive even intuitively, onto a legal basis will not be accepted by the conscience of society."

The full text of the written statement issued by the TBB is as follows:

"For some time now, reports have been shared with the public that action has been taken for a legal regulation stating that all stray animals will be collected and first attempted to be adopted through announcements, and that stray animals not adopted at the end of this process will be killed under the name of 'euthanasia'. It is obvious that if the mentioned legislative proposal passes in parliament, an animal massacre unprecedented in the history of our country will occur.

It is impossible to reconcile the death warrant of stray animals, which have been a part of these lands for centuries—beings that can feel and suffer just like us and are emphasized at every opportunity to be 'dear friends'—or isolating them in death-camp shelters, with our cultural values or the systematics of the Animal Protection Law No. 5199, which came into force 20 years ago and underwent comprehensive changes 3 years ago.

If the stray animal population poses a problem as claimed, the solution to this issue is a sterilization and rehabilitation mobilization that all authorized institutions will carry out simultaneously. For this, the establishment of sterilization centers in districts and especially in rural areas is necessary and sufficient.

Another issue that must be implemented along with sterilization is to ban the production and sale of pets and to impose heavy administrative sanctions on those who abandon the animals they have adopted to the streets. With this method, which will be applied for two or three years, the reproduction of stray animals can be prevented, and the alleged problem will be largely resolved. The explained methods are also presented as the most correct path by veterinarians who are experts in their fields and are supported by many scientific studies.

Insisting on massacre and isolation by rejecting the stated methods is a rejection of reason and conscience. Institutionalizing and moving this mentality, which is contrary to ethical values, social norms, and the right to life of animals that we can perceive even intuitively, onto a legal basis will not be accepted by the conscience of society.

In conclusion, as the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, we share with the public with respect that we are following the planned legal regulation and that we will continue every kind of legal struggle to the end in order to protect the 'right to life' of all living beings that are a part of these lands."