PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE DOG MASSACRE AT BEYKOZ FOREST

Fifteen of the hundreds of dogs trying to survive in Beykoz forests were found dead a few days ago. These animals were some of those that were taken from their territory and dumped in the forest by the former Beykoz municipality management headed by Muharrem Ergul. They were trying to survive thanks to the exceptional efforts of volunteers going there to feed them every day.

We don’t know who has killed them but we think that the claim that these dogs were poisoned by the Beykoz Municipality is a mere slander.

The present management of Beykoz Municipality agrees that the solution to the stray dog problem is not poisoning or dumping at forests as did the former Muharrem Ergul management, but tries to tackle the problem by neuter and release and they are cooperating with animal protectors and volunteers for this goal.

The Beykoz Municipality has allocated a car for the feeding of dogs dumped to the forest by the former management and has employed a veterinary for the medical treatment of dogs and given permission for him to work in weekends. -This is an approach that is very rare for municipality shelters where veterinaries only do neutering and no treatment at all. -

These steps taken by the Beykoz municipality though not sufficient at all, should be acknowledged as signs of good intention. These attempts should be and are being supported with careful supervision of the volunteers who are directly involved in the work at the shelter and the feeding of dogs in the forest.

As we were direct when we criticized the cruel execution of the former mayor Muharrem Ergul, we support the positive steps taken by the present Beykoz management. Needless to say, deficiencies should be pointed out when necessary and constructive criticism should always be imparted.

Activism requires honesty and fairness. Coming to the forest once a while only when accompanied by journalists and creating scenes with dead dogs without any evidence, undermines ones own credibility and harms the animal protection movement.

SHKD, EHDKD, Let’s Adopt!