Footage recently circulated on social media has drawn widespread public concern about conditions inside a municipal dog shelter in Finike, Antalya. The images prompted an on-site visit by the public prosecutor and the launch of a formal investigation.
The footage shows multiple dogs in conditions that raise serious welfare concerns:
Severe Emaciation
Several dogs appear extremely underweight, with ribs, spines, and hip bones clearly protruding. This level of thinness suggests prolonged malnutrition and/or untreated illness.
Open Wounds and Skin Disease
Dogs can be seen with open sores, raw skin, and extensive hair loss. Some of the lesions are consistent with advanced mange or infected wounds that appear active rather than healing.
Eye Problems
Multiple animals show eye discharge, swelling, clouding, or visible damage to one or both eyes. In some cases, the eyes appear severely compromised, raising concerns about untreated infection and the risk of permanent vision loss.
Lack of Hygiene
The enclosures shown in the footage appear muddy, wet, and heavily soiled, with no visible clean bedding. Dogs are seen lying directly on contaminated ground, increasing the risk of infection, skin disease, and hypothermia.
No Separation of Sick and Healthy Dogs
One of the most serious observations is that visibly sick dogs are housed in the same cages as dogs without obvious symptoms. There is no visible isolation area for animals with contagious conditions, significantly increasing the risk of disease transmission.
These conditions are not isolated to a single animal or enclosure. They are repeated across the footage and clearly visible.
The Prosecutor’s On-Site Response
Following public reaction to the footage, the public prosecutor attended the shelter.
The prosecutor acknowledges the concerns raised and confirms that an official investigation has been initiated. The visit establishes that the matter is under judicial review, not solely administrative oversight.
However, at the time of writing:
No detailed findings have been released
No public information has been provided about immediate veterinary treatment
There has been no confirmation that dogs shown in severe condition were removed, isolated, or treated
Outcomes remain unclear
Why Visible Evidence Matters
Public concern in cases like this is driven not by statements, but by what people can see. The footage shows dogs already confined, already dependent on human care, living with untreated illness in unhygienic conditions.
Until there is transparent evidence of:
veterinary intervention,
improved hygiene,
isolation of sick animals, and
ongoing monitoring,
The Need for Transparency and Urgent Care
Investigations are essential. But for dogs in this condition, time matters.
These animals cannot advocate for themselves. What happens next and what the public is shown will determine whether this investigation leads to meaningful change or fades into silence.