In light of the ongoing controversy surrounding dog attacks and injuries throughout the nation, Atatürk University arranged a panel discussion to enhance public consciousness and foster dialogue regarding the issue of stray dogs.

A panel titled "Scientific Perspective on the Problem of Stray Dogs" was convened to provide a scientific evaluation of the issue at hand. This topic was chosen due to the escalating incidence of attacks on children and women, the divergent perspectives of animal rights administrators, and the growing presence of stray dogs. Panelists comprised academics who are authorities in their respective fields.

Moderated by the Faculty of Communication Faculty Member and Atatürk University Corporate Communications Director (KİD), Prof. Dr. Besim Yıldırım, the panel covered the following subject matters: "Can a Dog Become a Stray?" "How can we get rid of dogs from the streets and have streets without dogs?" by Prof. Dr. Nilüfer Sabuncuoğlu Çoban from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,  "Legal Perspective on Stray Dogs" by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Nezih Kök from the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine,  "The Value of Human Life from a Religious Perspective and the Obligation to Protect it"  by Prof. Dr. Sinan Öğe from the Faculty of Theology and  "Stray Dogs and Public Health" by Associate Professor. Dr. Zahide Koşan. They addressed the issue of stray dogs from a scientific perspective, which has evolved into a social problem.  

In his introductory remarks at the panel, Prof. Dr. Besim Yıldırım estimated that the nation's streets are home to approximately 10 million stray dogs. He further stated, "This mere numerical figure serves as a stark reminder that this issue holds significant gravity." The issue of stray dogs has expanded its detrimental effects beyond human beings to encompass other forms of life. "The responsibility of universities at this point today is to address all aspects of this problem, which is growing day by day, to understand it, to explain it to the society and to provide a framework for policy makers."

Increased fatalities result from dog attacks.

Prof. Dr. Nilüfer Sabuncuoğlu Çoban noted hundreds of thousands of people are annually subjected to stray dog attacks in Turkey, which not only results in bite marks but also poses a rabies risk." I would like to bring to your attention the unfortunate demise of numerous individuals who perished while fleeing from dog attacks in our nation, where rabies is the sole cause of death annually. This distressing circumstance demonstrates that the issue of stray dogs transcends being an animal welfare concern and signifies a societal catastrophe. The daily victimization of 830 individuals has evolved into a crisis that cannot be resolved through animal welfare initiatives." she said.

The incidence of diseases transmitted by feral animals rose.

Professor Çoban stated that despite the development of the veterinary organization in Turkey, it is impossible to prevent the transmission of diseases from stray animals to humans. Constricted feral dog populations present a security risk due to the impossibility of health and reproductive management measures for animals. According to Çoban, the abandoned homeless dogs returned to the streets in 2004 , which precipitated a dog population crisis that surpassed the capacity of sterilization methods.

Terrorism is the offspring of unrestrained power.

Professor Dr. Nilüfer Sabuncuoğlu Çoban underscored the significant hazard that stray dogs present to human beings, stating, "Negligence invariably results in disastrous consequences. Power unrestrained produces terror." Under the guise of animal compassion, she claimed that the stray dog menace was attempted to be portrayed as endearing. Sabuncuoğlu further asserted that animal advocates fail to reach a consensus regarding the homeless dog issue, claiming, "They engage in speciesism in the name of animal welfare." Sabuncuoğlu asserted that around seventy citizens perish annually from the attacks of stray dogs, adding that animal enthusiasts exclusively adopt them from the streets.

The "Sterilize and Keep in Place" proposal Is Not a Workaround. "Zero Stray Dogs" is the truthful solution.

Sabuncuoğlu Çoban emphasized that the sterilize-keep-in-place proposal lacks scientific, economic, and, above all else, national benefits. She stated, "We are in dire need of our Veteran Assembly to revise Law No. 5199." It is critical that our nation adopt a policy of zero stray dogs.

As soon as feasible, stray dogs should be gathered from the streets and housed in low-cost shelters with porches and fences, separating males from ffemales. Implementing this approach would enable the prevention of reproduction. It should be possible for food scraps from shopping centers and other establishments and institutions to be utilized for stray dogs.

We must meticulously budget for stray dog shelters in light of the fact that 5 million loaves of bread are discarded daily in our country and the requirements of our citizens affected by the earthquake.

The persistent  "Sterilize and Keep in Place" proposal by certain circles is out of question due to the fact that the number of stray dogs is enormous, their care requires intensive labor and high costs for many years, and their continued presence on the streets ensures that the problem will persist. Furthermore, maintaining their life on the streets eliminates the possibility of dog-related damages continuing, as injuries and fatalities will continue to occur during this process.

Society and the media were both repressed.

The media was stifled by animal rights organizations, according to Nilüfer Sabuncuoğlu noted that the pressure exerted by animal rights organizations prevented the adequate expression of the danger posed by dogs. "In 2007, 3-year-old Sudenaz Tanhaş, a resident of Ova village in Erzurum, passed away from rabies. According to data collected after 2004, one or two persons per year died from the disease. During the same period, in October, Serkan was lost in Istanbul," she finished her presentation demonstrating visual aids, including images and videos, and alluding to the perils that stray dogs present.

"The most important value among all values is people"

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Nezih Kök, approaching the issue from a legal and ethical standpoint, stated, "It is impossible to discuss the rights of an animal, which is merely an object, if it injures or kills a person. Because human beings are the most essential value among all values. It is imperative that the state convene stakeholders meetings and heed public sentiment prior to enacting legislation concerning animals.

The entire society, according to the professor, should assume responsibility for resolving the stray dog issue. Kök commented, "By acting on human values, we can produce more effective solutions on this issue." He further underscored the perilous implications of the stray dog epidemic for human health and street safety. He contended that advocating for animal rights in such a context would lack sincerity, just as would stray dog advocacy that prioritizes economic interests and concerns. As per his assertion, the activities operated with greater efficiency.

"The subject of the universe is human"

Professor Dr. Sinan Öge asserted that the subject of this universe is humanity and that each element is valuable by virtue of its creation by God. He further stated that "nothing created for the human being, the most valuable being, can harm or benefit him." Öge further emphasized that all beings' rights are safeguarded and that their purpose is to serve humanity. He stressed the significance of human life in the matter of stray dogs. "The right to human life is the most fundamental. We are entrusted with the protection of a child. Can one who abhors human beings develop affection for an animal? The collection of creatures from the streets or human life? This matter is exclusively concerning human rights. If human security is threatened, then politics, religion, and law are meaningless."

"Healthy society, secure streets"

Stray dogs have increased the risk of rabies and numerous other diseases in both urban and rural areas, according to Assoc. Prof. Zahide Koşan. She noted thats tairways, parks, and other outdoor areas should be devoid of stray dogs, highlighting the fact that the disease claims the lives of dozens of people annually, including 1-2 individuals in our nation, and that the bite of an infected dog is responsible for 99 percent of rabies-related fatalities, Koşan estimated that the global economic burden of rabies is around $8.6 billion.

Directorate of Corporate Communications – January 5, 2024