14 March 2025 – Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya has announced that 39 chief civil inspectors have been deployed across Türkiye’s 81 provinces to oversee the enforcement of the Animal Protection Law. The inspectors will assess how governorships, municipalities, and relevant institutions are managing the stray dog issue.
Yerlikaya stated that the inspectors have been given 14 days to conduct on-site evaluations of the measures implemented since the law and its regulations came into force on 2 August. Their role includes reviewing past actions, identifying shortcomings, and ensuring that authorities comply with legal requirements.
The minister also raised concerns about some municipalities relocating stray dogs to other regions instead of placing them in shelters. Complaints about this practice have increased, and Yerlikaya warned that any municipality found to be engaging in such activities would face administrative and judicial investigations.
Additionally, the Ministry of Interior will continue to investigate cases where individuals are injured or killed in attacks by stray animals, ensuring that responsible institutions are held accountable. Yerlikaya reiterated the government’s commitment to preventing such incidents and enforcing compliance with the law.
A spokesperson for Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca told Fethiye Times:
“Two inspectors visited Fethiye Municipality and inspected the animal shelter. Fethiye Municipality will never euthanise stray animals, as the Mayor has promised multiple times before. If stray dogs pose a threat to people and a complaint is made, they are taken to an animal shelter, as required by law.”
Sources: https://www.trthaber.com/haber/gundem/basibos-kopek-sorunu-icin-39-mulkiye-mufettisi-gorevlendirildi-900653.html/Fethiye Belediyesi
