"Halt the Collections" – Turkey's Dogs Deserve Compassion, Not Cruelty
On July 15, 2025, something unspeakable happened in Düzce.
The stray dogs were rounded up following complaints from locals—dragged from their corners, frightened, separated from their companions and from the only life they’d ever known. The operation was carried out in plain view, captured on video and shared across social media.
The dogs were treated in a shockingly cruel and improper manner. Hoisted by the scruff of their necks, their entire bodies bore the full brunt of their weight, and they were tossed one by one into the truck as if they were lifeless objects. It was a disgraceful display of brutality and violence.
This isn’t just a local issue. This is a national wound.
This is a moral failure.
And we, as advocates for animals, cannot and will not be silent.
A Flawed System: From Promise to Pain
The promise of a humane, adoption-focused stray dog policy was initially welcomed with optimism. However, as Dog Desk Animal Actions highlight, the current implementation has led to distressing outcomes:
Inhumane Capture Methods: Video footage shows dogs being forcibly seized.
Inadequate Shelter Conditions: “Natural habitats” used in place of proper shelters often fail to meet basic needs.
Killings in Shelters: Overcrowding and lack of space have led to the euthanasia of healthy, adoptable dogs.
This pattern is not unique to Düzce—it reflects a systemic issue that urgently requires reform.
This Is Not Animal Welfare
What unfolded in Düzce was not an effort to protect public safety. It was a purge—a systematic removal of sentient beings under the guise of "solution." The public was not informed. The dogs were not protected. And what comes next—where they’ve been taken, whether they are safe, whether they are even alive—remains unanswered.
Even more horrifying are the accounts surfacing from the scene
Sedatives were used without veterinary supervision
Nursing mothers & their tiny puppies were seized & subjected to the same handling as the other dogs. What kind of beast treats puppies & mothers with milk in their breasts that way & at whose behest?
This is not humane. This is not acceptable. This brings great shame on Turkey especially when illegal cruelty is celebrated with zest & enthusiasm by Turkey’s citizens
Statement from Dog Desk Animal Action
As the situation in Düzce draws national and international scrutiny, Dog Desk Animal Actions has released a powerful statement condemning the ongoing treatment of stray dogs in Turkey. Their message signals a turning point in their advocacy:
"In August 2023, we were delighted to hear President Erdoğan’s address announcing that stray dogs in Turkey would no longer be left to endure hardships on the streets.
The president proposed adopting a European-style approach to managing stray dogs, where they would be sheltered and adopted.""Sadly, this plan has not been executed as intended.
We have observed dogs experiencing severe mistreatment during their capture, being placed in so-called natural habitats that fail to meet their basic needs, and being euthanized simply to create space for more dogs in overcrowded shelters.""Due to the significant distress caused by this sheltering initiative, we can no longer endorse it.
From today onward, our stance must be unequivocal: stop the collections until proper measures are in place to ensure the welfare of all stray dogs.""We sincerely appreciate those in authority who have warmly welcomed us, heeded our advice, and enhanced their services. These individuals inspire hope for a future Turkey where all sentient beings receive the care they deserve.
However, we can no longer support a system that results in such profound suffering."Our message from now on must be clear: halt the collections.
– The Directors, Dog Desk Animal Action
What Must Happen Now?
Priority Action Required
1. Immediate Suspension Halt all collection operations until safe, ethical protocols are established.
2. Transparency Disclose where the dogs are being taken, how many were collected, and their medical status.
3. Oversight Involve third-party organizations and NGOs in monitoring municipal animal control actions.
4. Infrastructure Investment Allocate funding for proper shelters, skilled veterinary care, and adoption campaigns.
5. Community Dialogue Include civil society & animal advocates in decisions on stray animal management.
The Silence of Animal Welfare Influencers Amid Crisis
Raising awareness is one of the most powerful tools we have in the fight for animal welfare—it transforms silence into action and indifference into compassion. Yet in the face of the suffering unfolding since August 2024 and beyond, there has been a troubling lack of engagement from prominent animal welfare influencers on social media despite them being very aware of the suffering. These individuals have built large platforms on the backs of animal advocacy, yet many remain silent as street dogs are rounded up, sedated without oversight, and confined in the cruellest of environments & culled. Their voices could mobilize international attention, pressure authorities, and educate the public, but their absence speaks volumes. In times of crisis, silence from those with influence doesn’t just disappoint—it enables cruelty to continue unchecked.
Final Thoughts
The events in Düzce—and the national response they’ve provoked—highlight the urgent need for humane, accountable, and sustainable stray dog management across Turkey. The powerful public announcement from Dog Desk Animal Actions reinforces what many have been saying: good intentions are not enough when the result is widespread suffering.
It is now up to authorities at all levels to respond with compassion, transparency, and resolve.
Until then, the message is clear: halt the collections.
Düzce Governorship issued a statement
Dr Faruk Ozlu Mayor of Düzce explained that the municipality had no connection with the disgraceful scenes witnessed in Düzce.
They had been carried out by Düzce Provincial Special Administration and its personnel