Poisoned & Silenced: The Hidden Crisis Facing Turkey’s Dogs
Across Turkey, dogs are being poisoned on the streets, in parks, inside municipal shelters, and even near people’s homes. Some are beloved companions. Others are young puppies. Many are strays who trusted the hands that fed them.
This is not an isolated problem. It is a pattern and it is growing.
Thanks to our ongoing database, we have verified poisoning incidents from 2018 to 2025.
This list is not exhaustive.
It represents only a snapshot of the cases we know about and have been able to document.
We believe the real number of poisonings across Turkey is far, far higher.
Data That Cannot Be Ignored
Below are confirmed figures from known cases representing only minimum recorded deaths.
They do not reflect the full scale of the problem.
Confirmed Dog Poisoning Deaths by Province
(This is a snapshot of cases & is not definitive)
Confirmed Dog Poisoning Deaths by Year
(This is a snapshot of cases & is not definitive)
What the Numbers Tell Us
Cases rise sharply after 2021.
Some reports occurred inside municipal shelters not just streets.
Several incidents involved suspicion of municipal involvement.
Other animals cats, foxes, chickens have also died in these attacks.
In at least one case, poisoned dogs were dumped in a mass grave.
Every data point is a life and every life mattered.
We Will Not Accept This
We refuse to let this be ignored.
For every case reported we will challenge, expose, and demand justice.
We will fight for the dogs who cannot speak for themselves.
Our demand:
Independent investigations, public reporting of poisoning cases, prosecutions of perpetrators, and enforcement of animal protection laws not excuses.
How You Can Help
✔ Share this blog
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✔ Stand up for the voiceless before another body is found alone
Turkey must choose: justice or cruelty.
And we will not stop until it chooses justice.