Former French actress Brigitte Bardot has appealed to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, warning him of an “appalling threat faced by stray animals” in Turkey due to an ongoing legislative review.
The warning comes in a letter in which the former movie star, whose foundation has long championed animal rights, comes out against a controversial bill that could lead to the euthanasia of up to four million stray dogs in the country.
“Turkey has been seen until now as a model of compassion for stray cats and dogs, living harmoniously with humans,” Bardot wrote. “Do not let Turkey become a nation disliked and criticised for its indifference and cruelty towards these sensitive beings, our most faithful companions.”
The proposed bill has drawn intense protests and mobilised animal rights activists and opposition lawmakers. It is currently being analysed in a parliamentary committee ahead of its presentation to the full parliament.
The draft legislation would enable the capture and sterilisation of stray dogs, and euthanasia for those left unadopted.
Killing or capturing stray animals are not only cruel practices, they are also counterproductive, only worsening the overpopulation of stray dogs and cats, Bardot argued.
President Erdogan had said in late May that Turkey has a stray dog problem unlike any other developed country. He specifically mentioned the escalation of rabies cases - which has led to Turkey being designated a high-risk country by the World Health Organisation (WHO) – and accidents caused by or involving dogs.
These have resulted in 55 deaths and over 5,000 injuries in the past five years, the Turkish president stressed.
A new protest was held in Istanbul on Tuesday evening by groups opposed to the proposed law.
