Message from Ankara Mayor about stray animals in Turkey

Undoubtedly, there is a serious issue of “stray animals” in our country. On one hand, we are talking about innocent beings in need of attention and care. On the other hand, numerous citizens report grievances, stating, “stray dogs roam the streets and pose a danger.”

From another perspective, there are many animal lovers and organizations emphasizing that “animals are innocent and in need of all kinds of protection,” even actively fighting for this cause. When looked at it superficially, those disturbed by the situation can be considered somewhat justified from their perspective, just as animal lovers can be seen as justified from their standpoint. So, who is not right in this situation, and who should be held responsible?

Certainly, the responsibility falls on the relevant municipalities. Many municipalities, which pour billions of lira into various (and sometimes unnecessary) areas, fail to establish a proper veterinary service to monitor these stray animals. When talking about monitoring, it’s not just about tracking them on the streets. We are talking about a veterinary service that can take care of their health and, most importantly, perform neutering procedures properly / exactly as needed.

In this regard, Mansur Yavaş, a statesman loved and appreciated by many of us, had following to say:

Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş, in his statement regarding the 4th-grade student Tunahan Yılmaz, who was seriously injured in an attack by stray dogs in Keçiören, gave a solution message about stray animals.

During the World Disabled Day activities, Yavaş answered questions from the press in the conference hall of the municipality building. When asked about the child injured in Keçiören due to the attack by stray dogs two days ago, Yavaş said he had not seen any stray animals on the streets in any European country.

NOT ONLY THROUGH NEUTERING

Yavaş, stating that in their newly established boutique shelters, they want animal lovers to come and take care of dogs as long as the municipality covers the cost, said, “I respect the opinions of animal lovers, but the population has increased so much that we are the first municipality in Turkey to open a neutering tender beyond our means. We have contracted with 13 clinics. When females are neutered, they need to stay for a week. Males can be released back to the streets immediately, but in this population, only neutering cannot prevent this.”

WE WILL HOST THEM IN SHELTERS

While continuing neutering procedures on one hand, Yavaş, on the other hand, mentioned that they would host stray dogs in shelters. He said, “If they really want it, animal lovers should also contribute. We will support them; let them consider adopting . There should be no stray animals.”