A new statement from students at Ege University in İzmir, Türkiye, has provided important information about the fate of dogs caught up in the controversial night-time removal operation of 16–17 October 2026. While Bornova Municipality reports that all 83 dogs taken into its care have found placements, students have revealed that approximately 80 other dogs escaped during the operation and are now dependent on temporary accommodation.
The statement, released on 21 October by students who have been caring for the university’s dogs, offers a clearer picture of what happened during the operation and the difficulties now facing those trying to secure the animals’ futures.
The removal of dogs from the university campus, carried out by municipal teams accompanied by police, prompted protests, legal objections and widespread concern about the animals’ whereabouts. Initial reports referred to considerably more dogs than the 83 subsequently acknowledged as entering municipal care.
The students’ latest account may help explain that discrepancy.
What Happened to the 80 Dogs?
In their video statement, the students say that while 83 dogs were taken away by municipal teams, another 80 escaped during the confusion. The students subsequently gathered those animals and arranged temporary accommodation for them.
They explain that microchipping was carried out on 19 October before the dogs were moved to temporary shelters, emphasising that microchipping should not be confused with adoption.
The students describe the dogs as still needing permanent homes, with some temporary arrangements lasting only three or four days. They are now attempting to secure suitable placements while managing the practical and financial demands of caring for animals dispersed across different locations.
Their statement makes clear that the current arrangements cannot continue indefinitely. Finding accommodation has become increasingly difficult, particularly as the students must coordinate care, transport and expenses while continuing their studies.
The students have appealed for people able to offer permanent homes and urged supporters not to withdraw their assistance.
Although the statement refers to dogs who have not been adopted, it does not explicitly establish whether this applies exclusively to the approximately 80 dogs recovered by students or includes animals subsequently placed through municipal arrangements.
Bornova Municipality Reports Placements for 83 Dogs
On 20 October, Bornova Municipality announced that all 83 dogs received at its Can Dostları animal care facility had been placed with individuals.
According to the municipality, 32 dogs were returned to existing owners, while 51 were registered to new owners following veterinary examinations, microchipping and identification procedures.
The municipality described the latter group as adopted. However, the available information does not establish whether every placement is permanent or whether some animals are being accommodated through temporary fostering arrangements.
For that reason, Dog Desk Animal Action is describing these outcomes as placements rather than confirmed permanent adoptions.
Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki thanked the Ege University Animal Rights Community and other animal welfare organisations for their involvement in finding places for the animals.
The announcement provides an account of the 83 dogs received into municipal care, but individual placement records have not been independently examined by Dog Desk Animal Action.
Why Were So Many More Dogs Initially Reported?
One of the most significant questions following the operation concerned the number of dogs involved.
The İzmir Bar Association initially referred to approximately 160 dogs, while Bornova Municipality subsequently reported receiving 83.
The students’ latest testimony may account for much of that difference. If the approximately 80 dogs they recovered were separate from the 83 taken into municipal custody, the two groups would total around 163 animals.
That figure is close to the earlier estimate and provides a plausible explanation for the conflicting reports.
It is not, however, an independently verified total. Complete identification and movement records would be needed to establish precisely how many dogs were present, how many were taken into municipal care and where each animal was subsequently placed.
A smaller discrepancy also remains between earlier information referring to 31 owned dogs and the municipality’s later report that 32 were returned to existing owners. This may reflect updated registration information, but no explanation has been established.
Placement Does Not Necessarily Mean a Permanent Home
The distinction between placement and permanent adoption is particularly important in this case.
A dog may be microchipped and registered to an individual without necessarily having secured a permanent home. Temporary foster arrangements can provide immediate safety while longer-term accommodation is sought.
Bornova Municipality reports that 51 dogs were adopted by new owners, but the nature and intended duration of every arrangement have not been independently confirmed.
The students’ statement highlights the same distinction. They explicitly warn against interpreting microchipping as proof of adoption and describe the considerable difficulties involved in finding permanent homes.
Their comments do not establish that the municipality’s reported adoptions were temporary. Equally, the municipal announcement does not independently demonstrate that every dog has entered a permanent home.
What can be reported is that the 83 dogs received by Bornova Municipality have reportedly found placements, while students continue seeking permanent homes for dogs they recovered during the operation.
An Urgent Appeal for the Remaining Dogs
For the students, the immediate concern is the limited time available to secure sustainable accommodation.
They have described the strain of arranging temporary shelter, managing the animals’ care and meeting costs that they cannot continue to cover indefinitely. With some placements reportedly lasting only three or four days, finding permanent homes has become increasingly urgent.
The Ege University Animal Rights Community has continued working to protect the dogs despite the disruption caused by the operation. Its members are now asking for practical assistance from people able to provide safe, lasting homes.
The latest developments provide a more complete picture of what happened to the Ege University dogs, although questions remain about individual placements and the total number of animals involved.
Bornova Municipality reports that all 83 dogs received into its care have found placements, including 32 returned to existing owners. Students have separately described approximately 80 dogs who escaped during the operation, were subsequently recovered and now need permanent accommodation.
The students’ account may explain much of the discrepancy between the original estimates and the municipality’s figures. It also demonstrates that the consequences of the operation have not ended with the release of the 83 dogs from municipal care.
Finding placements is an important development. Ensuring that those arrangements provide lasting security, and securing permanent homes for the dogs still in temporary accommodation, is the work that remains.
Sources and Supporting Evidence
Ege University student animal carers — Video statement, 21 October 2026
First-hand account describing 83 dogs taken by municipal teams, approximately 80 others escaping and subsequently being recovered, microchipping on 19 October, temporary accommodation and the urgent search for permanent homes.
Bornova Municipality — Announcement, 20 October 2026
Municipal account of 83 dogs received into care, with 32 returned to existing owners and 51 reported as adopted.
ANKA — Bornova’da 83 can dost yeni yuvalarına kavuştu
Cumhuriyet — Ege Üniversitesi’nde toplanan 83 can dost yeni yuvalarına kavuştu
İzmir Bar Association — Statement following the 16–17 October operation
Legal objections to the night-time removal of the campus dogs, including the earlier estimate of approximately 160 animals.