AKP figure speaks out on 'euthanasia': 'We see a serious increase in the number of rabies-related contacts'

In response to a question from journalists regarding the legal regulation on stray animals, Güler stated that the Animal Protection Law was enacted in 2004 and that various regulations in this field were implemented in 2021.

Pointing out that there is false and inaccurate information regarding the planned legal regulation, Güler expressed that there are claims such as "All stray animals will be collected and killed."

Emphasizing that the state must take measures for public health, Güler noted that the duties of local administrations are defined in the Animal Protection Law.

Abdullah Güler stated that there are a large number of stray dogs on the streets and noted the following:

"There are difficulties that our citizens have experienced to date. We have no possibility of ignoring these. There are many attack incidents experienced by our children going to school in the morning, our citizens walking in parks, gardens, and neighborhoods in the morning, and our mosque congregation going to morning prayers.

We have dogs in our streets, avenues, and cities that are ownerless, stray, have become aggressive, and roam in packs. We see that the number of rabies-related contacts has shown a serious increase.

There are some situations where our country is facing a rabies risk."

"WE HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH DOGS THAT HAVE BECOME MASCOTS"

Noting that the claims that "euthanasia and killing procedures will be applied to all stray dogs" are not true, Güler said, "We have no problem with these dogs that have become mascots of our neighborhoods, which have been given names like Can, Yaren, Beyaz, or Papatya. 

The society's problem is with the situation regarding dogs that have become aggressive, roam in packs, and affect street safety and public health. The problem is clear," he said.

Stating that the essential point is to take dogs into shelters and improve the quality of life in those shelters, Güler said that municipalities have an obligation to build shelters and that this is not a new situation.

Güler added that they want to manage the process by strongly supporting adoption, continuing sterilization, and implementing vaccination and microchipping.

News Source: AA