July 28th 2024.
Chris Packham is speaking out against a new legislation that has sparked concerns over the potential killing of stray dogs. The 63-year-old host of Springwatch and conservationist believes that this law could lead to an "absolute travesty". The issue has arisen as Turkey is set to pass a bill that aims to regulate the country's 4 million stray dogs.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that the country is facing a "stray dog problem" which poses a threat to the safety of children, adults, and the elderly, as well as other animals. He has also claimed that these dogs are responsible for attacks on flocks of sheep and goats, as well as causing traffic accidents. The proposed bill would require municipalities to collect stray dogs and place them in shelters where they would be spayed or neutered.
However, the law also states that dogs who are in pain, terminally ill, or aggressive would be euthanised. This has raised concerns among animal rights activists who fear that dogs could be killed under false pretenses, rather than being given proper care or being sent to overcrowded shelters. The government has denied these claims, but Chris Packham is urging people to take action by signing a petition to stop the potential killing of these animals.
In a video posted on X, Chris appeared alongside his beloved poodle Nancy to express his love for animals and his concern for their welfare. He urged his followers to sign the petition, which currently has nearly 5,000 signatures. Other British celebrities such as Downton Abbey star Peter Egan and Heather Mills have also spoken out against the bill, calling for it to be stopped.
The Animal Save Movement is leading the campaign against the bill, which would also hold mayors accountable for not fulfilling their responsibilities in controlling stray dogs. Those who abandon pets would face increased fines of up to 60,000 lira. The Turkish government has denied that the legislation would lead to the culling of stray dogs, with the country's justice minister stating that anyone who kills these animals "for no reason" will be punished.
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