Turkey launches investigation into mayors after stray dog attacks

Turkey's Interior Ministry has announced that investigations are ongoing into incidents where stray dogs threatened public safety and allegations that municipalities failed to comply with relevant legislation. The ministry took action following attacks in the Köyceğiz district of Muğla and the Narman district of Erzurum, where two children aged 11 and 10 were seriously injured. Inspections revealed significant deficiencies in municipal animal shelters and collection services.

The Köyceğiz municipality's animal shelter was found to be inadequate in terms of capacity and operating permits, with ineffective stray animal collection and veterinary services not meeting legal standards. The Narman municipality was accused of failing to collect stray animals in its area for an extended period, leading to the dog attack. Both municipalities are charged with neglecting their legal obligations.

As a result, the Interior Ministry authorized an investigation into Köyceğiz Mayor Ali Erdoğan and Narman Mayor Aydemir Adem Kınalı. Additionally, a preliminary investigation was launched against Hilvan Mayor Serhan Paydaş in Şanlıurfa, where the municipality allegedly failed to establish an animal shelter as required by Law No. 5199 on Animal Protection, did not allocate necessary funds, and took no action to build a shelter.

The stray animal issue has long been debated in Turkey. The increasing number of stray dogs in both urban and rural areas poses a serious safety risk. In recent years, many provinces have reported injuries and even deaths from dog attacks. This has sometimes led to tension between animal rights advocates and citizens concerned about safety. Municipalities' failure to fulfill responsibilities such as sterilization, vaccination, and shelter construction has exacerbated the problem.

The Interior Ministry stated that it will continue to work diligently to protect citizens' safety and ensure public officials fulfill their duties. It warned that similar investigations could be launched against other municipalities if negligence is found. These developments highlight the need for local governments to take their obligations regarding stray animals seriously. A coordinated effort between central and local authorities, along with adequate resource allocation, is expected to resolve the issue.