Dog massacre in Ankara after Niğde: 'Animal cemetery' defense from AKP-run Altındağ Municipality

While the law prepared by the AKP regarding the implementation of euthanasia (killing) for stray animals went into effect last week, reports continue to emerge that dogs are being killed in some regions.

While footage of dogs living in a shelter being buried in mass graves in the AKP-run Niğde Municipality dominated the public agenda, similar scenes have now emerged in the Altındağ district of Ankara.

ABB: WE WILL FOLLOW UP

Following the incident in question, the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) made a statement on its social media account.

The statement, which indicated that the shelter where the dogs were massacred does not belong to the Altındağ Municipality, is as follows:

"The incident that took place at the shelter affiliated with the Altındağ Municipality is not within the area of responsibility of the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality.

We respectfully announce to the public that the shelter does not belong to the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality and that we will follow up on this massacre."

'ANIMAL CEMETERY' DEFENSE FROM AKP-RUN MUNICIPALITY

Following the horrifying footage, a statement also came from the AKP-run Altındağ Municipality.

In the statement, which specified that the land where the footage was taken is an animal cemetery located near the care home, it was stated: "This cemetery is an area where stray animals that die naturally within our neighborhoods in Altındağ and/or die due to traffic accidents or infections are buried during the day. As is the case in other municipalities, the Altındağ Municipality collects an average of 20-25 animals that have lost their lives weekly upon reports from citizens and buries them in this area in accordance with health/hygiene rules. This is also an area where the carcasses of small and large livestock such as sheep, donkeys, and horses that die for similar reasons in our surrounding villages within our borders are buried."

Dün geceden itibaren kamuoyumuzun gündeminde olan asılsız haberlere ilişkin açıklamamız aşağıdaki gibidir. Kamuoyuna saygıyla duyururuz. pic.twitter.com/Z8sWtzuA4h

— Altındağ Belediyesi (@altindagbel) August 9, 2024

The full statement from the municipality is as follows:

"We present our press statement regarding the news circulating under our Municipality's name as of last night to the attention of the public.

The area mentioned in the news is an animal cemetery located near our 5,000 m2 temporary care home with a capacity of 150, which belongs to the Altındağ Municipality.

This cemetery is an area where stray animals that die naturally within our neighborhoods in Altındağ and/or die due to traffic accidents or infections are buried during the day.

As is the case in other municipalities, the Altındağ Municipality collects an average of 20-25 animals that have lost their lives weekly upon reports from citizens and buries them in this area in accordance with health/hygiene rules. This is also an area where the carcasses of small and large livestock such as sheep, donkeys, and horses that die for similar reasons in our surrounding villages within our borders are buried.

Furthermore, the news reflected to the public as 'animals being torn apart and killed' consists solely of our teams collecting a stray dog found in a dismembered state in our region upon the report of our citizens and burying it in a way that will not harm public health. Photographs of the dog in question taken while it was being collected from the street have been submitted to the prosecutor's office.

In addition, the area in question is also near our municipality's sacrificial slaughter area; it is the region where animal waste left by our citizens who performed their sacrificial worship during the recently observed Eid al-Adha is also buried.

In light of these explanations, the news portrayed as a 'massacre' in the public eye is completely baseless. Altındağ Mayor Veysel TİRYAKİ is a mayor known for his love of animals, as is well known by animal rights associations and NGOs that work closely with our Municipality in Ankara.

Our Mayor gave the instruction on the day he took office for the construction of the largest and most modern Animal Life and Rehabilitation Center in Ankara, which was also included in his election manifesto, and the project for our shelter has been completed. The 1,000-animal capacity 'Animal Life and Rehabilitation Center' includes open and closed paddocks, maternity shelters, dog walking and exercise areas, an animal hospital, and an animal hotel. This area will also serve as a dog training campus. It is unthinkable for a municipality that desires to realize the project of the largest and most modern animal rehabilitation facility in Ankara, which we will start building very soon, to commit a massacre.

It is an unfair accusation to claim that a Mayor who approaches the issue of animal rights with this mentality has committed a 'massacre'. While we approach the sensitivities of animal rights advocates with understanding, we state the injustice of the accusations we are exposed to and leave the matter to the conscience of the public.

Respectfully announced to the public."

"WE WILL START THE CONSTRUCTION OF OUR 'ANIMAL LIFE AND REHABILITATION CENTER'"

The Altındağ Municipality made another statement shortly after.

In the statement, it was stated that the construction of the 1,000-animal capacity 'Animal Life and Rehabilitation Center' would begin as soon as possible. Photos related to the project were included in the post made on the municipality's official X account.

Kamuoyu açıklamamızda bahsettiğimiz ve projesini yeni tamamladığımız 1000 hayvan kapasiteli "Hayvan Yaşam ve Rehabilitasyon Merkezi'mizin yapımına en kısa sürede başlayacağız. Proje fotoğraflarını kamuoyunun dikkatine sunuyoruz. pic.twitter.com/yjKBiJMI3V

— Altındağ Belediyesi (@altindagbel) August 9, 2024

News Source: 12punto

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