Animal massacre by Gebze Municipality! Statement released

Today, an incident at the shelter of the AKP-run Gebze Municipality sparked massive outrage among animal lovers and the public. The discovery of dozens of dead cats and dogs in trash containers in front of the shelter once again highlighted the consequences of the "massacre law" debated across Turkey. This law had previously drawn significant public backlash on the grounds that it paves the way for the slaughter of stray animals rather than their protection. A statement has been released by the municipality regarding the animal massacre in Gebze.

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Animal massacre by Gebze Municipality! Statement released

The incident that took place in Gebze today revealed the treatment animals are subjected to, as citizens gathered in front of the shelter to protest the situation. The carcasses of the animals found in the trash containers were removed one by one by citizens. These images spread rapidly on social media and in the press, increasing criticism directed at Gebze Municipality.

In a statement made by the municipality following the incident, it was said, "Immediate action has been taken regarding the images circulating in the press and on social media concerning deceased stray animals." The municipality stated that the images in question belonged to 16 stray dogs collected by teams, 3 dogs that lost their lives in traffic accidents in Gebze, and 10 dogs that died due to health issues.

Furthermore, the statement included the following: "Of the cats reflected in the images, 9 died from various causes, 4 died as a result of traffic accidents, and 2 lost their lives after failing to respond to treatment." Emphasizing that approximately 10 thousand stray animals live in the Gebze region, the municipality stated that the records for these losses of life have been submitted to the relevant units.

However, the reactions did not subside after the statement. Animal lovers condemned the municipality's stance, expressing that this situation is unacceptable. It was stated that an investigation has been launched into the matter and those responsible have been suspended. The incident has caused Turkey's laws and practices regarding animal rights to be questioned once again.