Stray Animals Involved in 384 Accidents in Bingöl: 68 Animals Collected

The Bingöl Governor's Office launched a comprehensive inspection to prevent traffic accidents caused by stray animals on the highways connecting the province to surrounding cities. The efforts, carried out to ensure the safety of citizens' lives and property, are being pursued decisively under the coordination of relevant institutions within the scope of General Order No. 2026/3. As a result of the inspections, ownerless animals were collected on many routes and placed in safe areas. Authorities warned animal owners and called on them to be sensitive about not leaving stray animals on the highways. It is also of great importance for drivers to be especially careful on routes with heavy animal movement.

As part of the operations conducted, a total of 68 ownerless animals were collected from various parts of Bingöl and handed over to the relevant authorities. While 31 animals were collected in the Solhan district and 26 on the Bingöl-Erzurum and Muş-Bingöl highways, 5 more animals were secured in the Çavuşlar-Ağaçeli villages area. Additionally, with the collection of 3 animals each in the Ilıcalar Town and Köklü Village areas on the Bingöl-Karlıova highway, the number reached 68. These animals were housed by handing them over to the Bingöl Municipality Temporary Animal Shelter and the Karlıova Municipality. The teams' inspections in the region are expected to continue uninterruptedly.

Administrative sanctions have also begun to be imposed on animal owners who endanger traffic safety. As a result of the comprehensive inspections, an administrative fine of 18 thousand 589 TL was imposed on owners who failed to prevent their eared (tagged) animals from entering the highway. Owners of untagged animals were given a legal period to complete the tagging process. It was announced that similar penal actions would be applied to those who fail to tag their animals or keep them under control during this process. Animals whose owners could not be identified were placed in shelters, securing their future.

Traffic accidents caused by stray animals in Bingöl have become a serious safety problem in recent years. Between 2021 and the first six months of 2026, a total of 384 traffic accidents involving animals occurred in the region. As a result of these accidents, 2 citizens lost their lives, and 170 people were injured to varying degrees. The economic dimension of the accidents cannot be ignored either; a total of 72 thousand 883 TL in penal actions was imposed on animal owners due to these incidents. These figures reveal the seriousness of the problem and the need for an urgent solution.

In a statement from the Governor's Office, it was emphasized that traffic safety is a shared responsibility. Animal owners were urged not to leave their animals stray on the highways and to fully comply with tagging and registration procedures. Additionally, drivers were asked to drive carefully by increasing their precautions in areas with a risk of stray animals. Authorities stated that inspections will continue and fines will continue to be imposed on those who violate the rules. These measures aim to reduce traffic accidents and prevent loss of life in the region.