In mid-January 2026, powerful, heart breaking footage began circulating on social media, dogs being collected and dragged through snow in Kütahya. The post quickly ignited public outrage, with thousands sharing the clips and demanding answers about what was happening to these vulnerable animals.
The video struck a nerve not just because of how the dogs were handled, but because it tapped into a larger, ongoing debate about how communities across Turkey manage stray dogs and animal welfare in general.
Official Response: Investigation Launched
In response to the public outcry, Kütahya Municipality publicly acknowledged the controversy and announced that an administrative investigation has been launched into the incident.
Mayor Eyüp Kahveci released a statement saying:
The footage showing dogs being dragged through snow was unacceptable.
He emphasised that the manner in which the animals were transported is not appropriate for living beings.
The municipality has initiated an internal administrative process to determine exactly what happened and who may be responsible.
Kahveci made it clear that the images were troubling and that authorities were taking the matter seriously:
“This way of transporting is not suitable. After all, it is a living being, a life. When a life is transported like that, no one can accept it.”
Who Was Involved? Clarifying Roles
The mayor also sought to clarify confusion about who exactly appeared in the footage. According to his statement:
The individuals seen handling the dogs were not necessarily direct municipal employees.
The city’s role, he stated, has been to provide support (such as financial or personnel resources) under certain protocols to partner organisations responsible for animal collection and sheltering services.
The city is working with groups such as local animal protection bodies to build more effective management systems but that does not absolve responsibility for the situation.
Mayor Kahveci specifically addressed miscommunication in the public space, saying some information shared online was inaccurate or incomplete, and that the process of animal protection in Kütahya is long-term and structured.
What the Statement Does and Doesn’t Do
The municipality’s response has several important elements:
It shows recognition of the public’s concern, officials admitted the visuals are troubling and warrant investigation.
It clarifies that the handling shown is not official practice and is not deemed acceptable.
It asserts that an administrative inquiry is underway and promises that results will be shared once available.
It does not yet answer key questions, such as:
Why were the dogs handled the way they were?
Were animal welfare professionals present?
What training or protocols were in place for handling animals under winter conditions?
What specific actions will be taken following the investigation’s findings?
Context Matters but Does Not Excuse Harm
While the footage itself brought wide-ranging emotional reactions online, the official response also touches on a bigger issue: how animals are managed in times of high public scrutiny and changing national policies.
Across Turkey, debates over stray dog management have intensified in recent years, especially after incidents that triggered public safety concerns. Municipalities have increasingly been tasked with collecting and sheltering animals but without always clear protocols for humane handling, transparency, or independent oversight.
The Kütahya case shows the tension between public pressure for action and the need for compassionate, welfare-focused animal management. Even if the ultimate goal is to protect both people and animals, the methods used matter profoundly
What Comes Next?
An investigation means there may be answers soon about:
Who was responsible and why dogs were handled in this manner
Whether procedures violated animal welfare rules
What steps will be taken to prevent similar incidents
But until those findings are publicly shared, the facts remain incomplete.
What is clear, however, is that:
Images of dogs being dragged through snow are deeply distressing to many.
Municipal authorities felt enough pressure to formally respond.
There is a growing expectation from the public that animal welfare must be protected, even in difficult operational circumstances.
Closing Thought
Dogs are sentient beings. Their treatment, especially when they are vulnerable strays reflects a community’s values and priorities. Accountability, transparency, and genuine welfare protocols should guide every action, not only after an incident goes viral.
Because in the end, no investigation or statement can reverse the fear and harm an animal experiences but they can be the beginning of a better way forward.