Thousands of animal rights activists gathered in Istanbul’s Taksim Square yesterday to protest a proposed amendment to the protection of animals law. “We do not want a murder law” was the main slogan chanted by the protesters.
The new draft, which is slated to be discussed in Parliament before the end of October, authorizes the removal of all stray animals from the streets, limits the number of pets permitted in homes, and recommends the termination of “dangerous” breeds. Activists fear the regulation will lead to the mass killing of cats and dogs, regardless of whether they are pets or strays.
