Ministry of Interior announces: Action taken against 3 mayors regarding stray animals

The Ministry of Interior has announced that administrative proceedings have been initiated against three mayors as part of investigations conducted following incidents involving stray animals.

In a statement from the Ministry, it was noted that an 11-year-old child was seriously injured as a result of an attack by stray dogs in the Köyceğiz district of Muğla, and that 37 people had received treatment in the district due to stray dog attacks over the last two years. It was also recalled that 10-year-old Murat Tutar was injured in an attack by stray dogs in the Narman district of Erzurum.

Investigations conducted following these incidents determined that the animal shelter belonging to the Köyceğiz Municipality was inadequate in terms of capacity and operating permits, and that the collection of stray animals and veterinary services were not carried out in accordance with regulations. It was assessed that the Narman Municipality had not collected stray animals in its area of responsibility for a long time and therefore failed to fulfill its obligations arising from the legislation.

In this context, permission for an investigation was granted against Köyceğiz Mayor Ali Erdoğan and Narman Mayor Aydemir Adem Kınalı.

On the other hand, the Ministry reported that permission for a research/preliminary investigation was granted against Hilvan Mayor Serhan Paydaş as part of investigations conducted into allegations that the municipality in the Hilvan district of Şanlıurfa failed to fulfill its obligation to establish an animal shelter under the Animal Protection Law No. 5199, did not allocate the necessary budget, and did not take any action toward the construction of a shelter.

Press Release Regarding Procedures Conducted Concerning Stray Animals

Regarding the allegations concerning the implementation of legislative provisions related to incidents that threaten the life safety of our citizens regarding stray animals, our Ministry of Interior… pic.twitter.com/lbZu2slxyz

— T.C. İçişleri Bakanlığı (@TC_icisleri) June 30, 2026

The Ministry's statement is as follows:

"Press Release Regarding Procedures Conducted Concerning Stray Animals

The necessary examination and investigation processes are being meticulously carried out by our Ministry of Interior regarding allegations concerning the implementation of legislative provisions related to incidents that threaten the life safety of our citizens regarding stray animals.

In the Köyceğiz district of Muğla, an 11-year-old child was seriously injured as a result of an attack by stray dogs, and it has also been determined that 37 citizens have received treatment due to stray dog attacks within the last 2 years.

In the Narman district of Erzurum, a child named Murat Tutar, aged 10, was injured in various parts of his body as a result of an attack by stray dogs.

As a result of the examinations and evaluations made following these two unfortunate incidents;

It has been determined that the animal shelter belonging to the Köyceğiz Municipality is inadequate in terms of capacity and operating permits, that activities for the collection of stray animals are not carried out effectively, and that veterinary services are not performed in accordance with the relevant legislation,

It has been determined that the Narman Municipality did not collect stray animals in its area of responsibility for a long time, and that the municipality failed to fulfill its obligations arising from the legislation in the dog attack that occurred as a result of this negligence.

As a result of the evaluations made within the framework of the collected information and documents and the relevant legislation, permission for an investigation has been granted against Köyceğiz Mayor Ali Erdoğan and Narman Mayor Aydemir Adem Kınalı, who were assessed as not having fulfilled their duties and responsibilities in accordance with the legislation.

In the Hilvan district of Şanlıurfa, as a result of investigations conducted into allegations that the municipality did not fulfill its obligations regarding the establishment of an animal shelter within the scope of the Animal Protection Law No. 5199, that the necessary budget was not allocated in this context, and that no action was taken toward the construction of a shelter, permission for a research/preliminary investigation has been granted against Hilvan Mayor Serhan Paydaş regarding the matter.

Our Ministry will meticulously continue its determination to protect the life safety of our citizens and ensure that public officials fulfill their responsibilities completely.

Respectfully announced to the public."

News Source: 12punto