Animal lovers across Didim are raising concerns over the current round-up of stray dogs amid separate allegations over the fate of some dogs.

Under a law passed by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on July 30 2024, local authorities have been given the responsibility to round up stray dogs from the streets, take them to animal shelters, rehabilitate them and keep them in the shelters until they are adopted.

The Ministry of the Interior, meanwhile, issued a directive on 30 June 2026 instructing local authorities, under the supervision of the Governor’s Office, to commence the process of rounding up stray dogs.

According to this directive:

Stray animals will be collected by local authorities and taken to temporary shelters, where they will be neutered, vaccinated and registered.

The directive stipulated that procedures should be carried out to rehome animals once they had recovered their health.

In Didim

In Didim, too, municipal teams began rounding up stray dogs two weeks ago. However, some residents lodged a complaint with the Didim Public Prosecutor’s Office against the municipality, alleging dogs were being killed and buried in an area at the rear of the shelter.

A photo of the excavator taken by an animal lover at the dog burial site

Following this, the Animal Rights Commission of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations joined the case.

Terkan Karagöz, a lawyer for the Bar Association, alleged that a large number of stray dogs had been killed in Didim and buried near the shelter, and that this had been documented on camera by some animal lovers.

“The police are currently gathering evidence. The evidence will be forwarded to the public prosecutor’s office,” said Mr Karagöz, adding that they would be monitoring the situation closely.

A group of around 50 animal-loving citizens also staged a protest outside the shelter recently.

Denial

In a statement posted on the Didim Municipality’s Facebook page, it was claimed that the dogs buried in the area near the shelter were those that had previously died at the shelter due to illness, and the allegations were denied.

CoDA statements

The CoDA Association, comprising foreign residents living in Didim, issued a statement via its Facebook page, saying: “These are unprecedented times for CoDA. I would like to say they are unprecedented times for Türkiye, but sadly they are not. This is not the first time that there has been mass killing of street dogs and sadly due to inadequate methods and regulations, it won’t be the last.

“So our current fundraiser is an attempt to give as many homeless dogs a second chance. We have put out an appeal for temporary fosters and we are enormously grateful to those people who have been able to step up to that role.

“We are all the time trying to find permanent homes for dogs of all shapes sizes, and age. At the moment, as I am sure you will appreciate there is a desperate need for homes. As you may, or may not know, the government is making adoption harder. So we are looking for funds that help us pay for emergency kennels.

“We are in the process and have the initial agreement with a local kennels here in Didim. They will offer space for CoDA rescue dogs at a discounted price. So although CoDA clearly can’t afford an indefinite outgoing of money on this scale, what we can do is consider each dog on a case by case basis and also the level of financial support needed.

“So your donations will go towards kennel costs, food and potentially medication should a dog need care before leaving the country.”

CoDA’s statement added: “We would clearly require some form of guarantee from the person wishing to adopt and we are currently seeking advice on how to create such a document. In simple terms CoDA cannot take on indefinite responsibility for an animal, nor would we see it returned to the shelter.

“So the guarantee would state that if the adopter backs out of the adoption, then they must agree to continue with the financial responsibility of that dog, until CoDA can find a permanent home. Which we would actively continue to do. I hope that answers some questions. As the situation changes, we will endeavour to keep you posted. Thank you for your continued support.”

CoDA also issued an appeal for people to adopt the animals taken in by the shelter.

The appeal read as follows: “We are trying to get as many dogs out of the shelter as possible. We cannot do this without your help. If you are able to take your tapu to the imar and get permission to adopt. If you can foster short term just to enable us to the dog to safety.

“If you are intending to adopt a dog, please make sure that you have all the correct paper work in order first.

The protest that took place

“Most important permission from the imar ofis  ZONING DEPARTMENT at the main Didim Belediyesi building and a receipt for 200tl for the passport book and registration.

Then you take this along to the shelter and you can adopt.”

Izmir and Istanbul protests

Meanwhile, animal lovers in Izmir and Istanbul also staged protests against the rounding up of dogs.

In Izmir, animal rights activists launched a ‘silent march’ to speak out on behalf of animals rounded up from the streets and euthanised in shelters. Hundreds of demonstrators, both men and women, gathered in front of Pasaport Pier with their adopted dogs.

Wearing black T-shirts and holding black balloons with paw prints on them, they began to walk in silence, proceeding as far as Alsancak Pier.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Alev İldeniz said, “We will never give up on protecting them, finding permanent and humane solutions, or defending their right to life. Because what we are defending today is not just street animals; we are defending compassion, justice and a culture of coexistence.”