100 Dogs Poisoned In the Bolluca Forest In Istanbul, And The Abuse Continues

Animal Welfare, Petitions — By Guest Activist on October 5, 2011 2:32 pm

Target: Mayor Ahmet Haşim Baltacı, of Arnavutköy Istanbul

Goal: To bring justice to the municipal officials that poisoned over 100 dogs in the Bolluca Forest

Overpopulation of cats and dogs is a concern in many areas of the world, as spay and neuter programs are not as prevalent as they are here in the United States. In fact, in many other countries animals are not seen as such a precious part of life to a great deal of the population. Attempting to commit a mass canine genocide is not the answer. However, that is exactly what happened in the Bolluca Forest of the Arnavutköy district of Istanbul just last week.

Animal activists and veterinarians are already up in arms (and passing around petitions) to stop the high incidence of animal rape and abuse within the area. The case of the 100 dogs just makes the concern for stricter animal welfare laws in the area all the more pressing. The 100 dogs that were killed were rounded up by Arnavutköy municipal officials and taken out to the Bolluca Forest where they were poisoned. When animal rights supporters and vets heard of the incident they rushed to help. There was no number on the amount of canines that were saved, but the fact is many did die and others may live with lifelong health issues now, as a result of the poisoning.

This is without a doubt a very serious case of intentional animal cruelty, but it is made all the worse when one considers it is becoming a common practice. Animal activists and animal health care workers in the area state this is a regular occurrence by different municipal officials within different areas of Istanbul when they feel overpopulation is too great and they need to “eliminate the problem”.  They gather as many animals (mainly canines and felines) as they can find, and drop them off at areas outside the city limits where they are either poisoned or left to catch illness and disease and die.

Shelters are unable to take care of more animals as many of them are already filled to capacity. They are in desperate need of more room and more medical care. However, in addition to stricter animal welfare laws, there needs to be more money put into effective spay and neuter programs in these areas. Ask Mayor Ahmet Haşim Baltacı to give public money for these important programs instead of putting forth money for genocide that costs many loving animals their lives and the chance of finding a safe home.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Mayor Ahmet Haşim Baltacı,

As a concerned animal lover here in the United States, I wanted to write to you on the behalf of the 100 dogs that either lost their lives or are suffering severe illness after the poisoning last week in the Bolluca Forest by local officials. These dogs, and the others that have either lost their lives or are now suffering from livelong health issues due to similar treatment deserve the chance to find safety with a family, it’s not their fault they are out on the street.

I understand that overpopulation of animals is a concern in many areas of your country, and by all means I agree that this should be addressed. However, instead of taking government money to pay officials to poison these defenseless animals, why not put this money to use in a more humane way. The money that is used for this mistreatment and abuse could be put towards a more effective spay and neuter program. This would save the lives of many animals, teach the public about the importance of animal care and the value of an animal’s life, and it would help with the issue of overpopulation.

I ask you to consider the animals. They have as much right to a loving family, and a safe healthy life, as you or I do. Please support a spay and neuter program and show the animals, the activists, and the vets that their lives and effort are worth something.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Will Go Here]