A devastating incident in central Turkey has thrust the nation’s stray dog dilemma back into the spotlight. Last week, two-year-old Rana El Selci was fatally attacked by a pack of stray dogs in Konya province, prompting Turkish authorities to pledge full enforcement of a polarizing law designed to clear millions of stray dogs from the country’s streets. The tragedy has reignited a fierce debate over public safety and animal welfare, exposing deep divisions within Turkish society.
The attack occurred on March 7, 2025, when Rana was playing near her home in Konya. Despite efforts by neighbors to intervene, the toddler succumbed to her injuries, sparking nationwide outrage. Turkey’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya swiftly responded, vowing to implement a law passed last summer—dubbed the “massacre law” by animal rights groups—that mandates municipalities to collect stray dogs, place them in shelters, and vaccinate, neuter, or euthanize them based on their condition. “Either they will do this job, or I will use whatever authority the law gives me to the fullest,” Yerlikaya declared in a video statement.
The government estimates that approximately 4 million stray dogs roam Turkey’s urban and rural areas, a population fueled by decades of inadequate sterilization efforts and cultural reluctance toward pet adoption. While some citizens hail the law as a necessary measure to prevent further tragedies, critics argue it could lead to mass euthanasia or the neglect of dogs in overcrowded, underfunded shelters. Animal welfare advocates have staged protests across Turkey and Europe, urging a repeal of the euthanasia provision and calling for humane alternatives like widespread spaying and neutering programs.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also weighed in, emphasizing the government’s resolve to act decisively. Meanwhile, a criminal investigation into Rana’s death is underway, and municipal workers in Konya have begun rounding up strays. As Turkey grapples with this emotional and ethical quandary, the world watches to see if the nation can balance public safety with compassion for its canine population.
Key Points:
Incident: On March 7, 2025, two-year-old Rana El Selci was fatally attacked by a pack of stray dogs in Konya province, central Turkey.
Government Response: Turkish authorities, led by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, have pledged to fully enforce a controversial stray dog law passed last summer to remove millions of strays from the streets.
Law Details: The law requires municipalities to collect stray dogs, place them in shelters, and vaccinate, neuter, or euthanize them depending on their health and behavior.
Stray Dog Population: Turkey has an estimated 4 million stray dogs, a result of limited sterilization efforts and low pet adoption rates.
Public Debate: The toddler’s death has intensified discussions, with some supporting the law for safety reasons and others, including animal rights groups, condemning it as inhumane and advocating for alternatives like mass spaying/neutering.
Official Actions: President Erdogan has backed the enforcement, while Konya authorities have begun rounding up strays; a criminal investigation into the attack is ongoing.
Protests: Animal welfare advocates in Turkey and Europe have protested the law, particularly its euthanasia clause, calling it a “massacre law.”
