Some holidaymakers have declared a "boycott" of Turkey and are "cancelling" their trips due to a new controversial law. The government has enacted a contentious "dog massacre" law, which permits the rounding up and culling of stray dogs, sparking outrage among animal lovers. The law's objective is to remove dogs from the streets and place them in shelters.
However, it stipulates that any dogs exhibiting aggressive behaviour or those with incurable diseases will be euthanised. This new legislation was introduced amidst concerns about attacks, road accidents, and rabies in Turkey, a country with an estimated four million stray dogs. Some also fear the law could also be used to target the opposition which made huge gains in the country's local elections months ago.
READ MORE: Bebe King killed in Southport: Older sister saw attack and managed to escape, family reveals Opposition lawmakers, animal welfare groups and others have dubbed the bill the “massacre law". President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the new law is necessary to deal with the country’s “stray dog problem". Although many of the stray dogs are harmless, a growing number are congregating in packs, and several people have been attacked.
The country’s large stray cat population is not a focus of the bill, the Independent reports. One Twitter /X user expressed their anger: "Mr Erdogen, do you still remember that day, during 2023 Turkey Earthquake, Indian sniffer dogs rescued a girl trapped in quake rubble. Mr Erdog.