Deplorable Conditions In Mamak Municipal Shelter
December 14th 2025
A very dark day for us all as it was revealed that something had gone terribly wrong at Mamak Municipal Shelter.
Animal lovers visit the shelters when they can, and on one such visit, horrors were revealed.
The shocked & visibly distressed visitor immediately raised the alarm.
An overpowering acrid smell filled the air, clinging to every breath and making it difficult to inhale deeply.
Blood was everywhere, splattered across the walls and pooling on the floor, creating a gruesome scene.
The metallic scent mixed with the acrid odour, creating a nauseating combination that lingered heavily.
It was a sight and smell not easily forgotten, etched into memory with startling clarity.
In the enclosed spaces of the dog pens, the distressing sight of deceased dogs lying among the living ones was all too evident.
There were assumptions that hunger drove the dogs to kill each other, a plausible explanation given the circumstances. However, it's equally likely that some dogs perished in fights and were subsequently consumed by their pen mates.
When unfamiliar dogs are confined together without any form of enrichment in cramped enclosures, tensions are bound to rise. This often leads to aggressive behaviour and inevitable conflicts.
The scene was heart-wrenching, as this once vibrant dog now lay motionless on the floor. Not long ago, he had been seen alive & well in this very place.
The turn of events left everyone in shock, unable to comprehend what they were seeing.
As news spread, compassionate individuals, including lawyers, flocked to the shelter. Their main goal was to ensure that any animals still alive in the shelter were relocated to a safe environment. Additionally, the lawyers collected evidence to support their forthcoming complaint.
Animal lover Ayça Salgara said
"When we arrived, we were not allowed in. Those inside were not allowed out because the key was lost. We went around the back to see if there was an open door. Of course, all the doors were closed, but we went around the back not knowing what to expect. But we saw animals hanging from the wires and dying. The animal was hanging from the wire and died. Then, right next to the other wire, at least 6-7 dogs were tearing each other to pieces and dying. They probably died there from starvation by eating each other. When we went a little further, we looked behind the wall and there was not a drop of water or a bite of food in front of the animals and the dead were eating them."
Deceased dogs hanging from the wires, indicated their desperate attempts to escape the confines of the pens. One can only imagine the struggle and the time it took for their lives to fade away.
It begs the question: where were the staff during this tragic event?
How could such a distressing situation go unnoticed, with no one stepping in to intervene and offer help to these poor animals?
This scene was unbearable; a group of terrified puppies cowered together, seeking comfort in each other's presence amidst the squalor of their enclosure.
The pen was a mess, littered with their waste, suggesting that these innocent creatures had been trapped in such deplorable conditions for at least a week, if not longer.
Their eyes, wide with fear and confusion, conveyed a silent plea for help, a desperate need for relief from the neglect they had endured.
The air was heavy with the stench of their surroundings, a testament to the disregard for their well-being.
The kind people who had gathered there began to remove the remaining dogs from the shelter any way they could, the understanding guards did not intervene.
After all how could they leave the dogs there in such disgusting conditions. It was imperative for the well being of the animals that they were taken to safety right away. Everybody knew that. They had been entrusted to the protection of the municipality & they had failed them in the worst possible ways.
The municipality's swift statement left much to be desired, offering no clarity on the dismal conditions or the reasons behind them.
They admitted to not knowing and promptly initiated an investigation.
As I continue to document the unfolding situation at the shelters, my concern deepens. It seems that stray animals, which we aim to keep off the streets, are being handed over to individuals who either lack the knowledge or the willingness to care for them properly.
This troubling scenario raises serious questions about the welfare and future of these vulnerable creatures.