Title: When Dogs Take the Blame: How Murderers Hide in Plain Sight
In countries with large populations of street dogs, public fear and media sensationalism often work hand-in-hand to create a dangerous narrative: if someone is found dead, and dogs are nearby, then the dogs must be to blame. This knee-jerk assumption not only leads to cruelty and mass killings of innocent animals, but it also allows real murderers to walk free, hiding in plain sight behind a veil of canine scapegoating.
Two harrowing cases from Turkey—Nazmi Önal and Fatma El Muhammed—lay bare the risks of this flawed thinking.
The Death of Nazmi Önal: A Man Killed by Human Hands
Nazmi Önal was a 64-year-old man found dead in a rural area of Turkey. Initial reports suggested he had been attacked and killed by a group of street dogs. This version of events was rapidly amplified across social media and mainstream outlets, leading to widespread public outrage and calls for aggressive culling of dogs in the area.
But as the investigation unfolded, critical details emerged: Önal had suffered trauma inconsistent with a dog attack. Autopsy results indicated blunt force injuries more indicative of an assault by a human. Eventually, it was revealed that Nazmi had been murdered by someone he knew, and the presence of street dogs near the scene had simply been a tragic coincidence—one that nearly buried the truth.
The Case of Fatma El Muhammed: A Child's Murder Disguised as a Dog Attack
In another chilling incident, 6-year-old Fatma El Muhammed died in circumstances initially reported as a fatal dog attack. Her small body was found with what appeared to be bite wounds, prompting swift retribution against the local dog population.
However, medical examiners and investigators quickly found inconsistencies: the wounds were not consistent with a typical dog mauling, and there were signs of strangulation and other forms of violence. As the investigation deepened, it became clear that Fatma had not died at the teeth of a street dog—she had been murdered by a man who attempted to cover his crime by blaming the dogs.
In both cases, the real killers almost got away with it.
Why Dogs Make Convenient Scapegoats
Street dogs are a visible, often controversial part of the urban fabric in many countries, including Turkey, India, and parts of Eastern Europe. They are easy to fear and easier to blame. Their presence at or near a crime scene is frequently misinterpreted as involvement, and biased assumptions fill the gaps left by initial investigative uncertainty.
These assumptions are then fuelled by:
Sensationalist media coverage, which often prioritises clicks over accuracy.
Public fear, particularly among those already predisposed to dislike or fear dogs.
Political opportunism, where officials use dog-related incidents to justify harmful policies or distract from systemic failures.
But what these situations truly expose is a gap in justice—for both the victims and the voiceless.
The Real Cost: Injustice and Mass Cruelty
When dogs are falsely blamed:
Innocent animals are slaughtered en masse, often in brutal, illegal culls.
Public trust in the justice system erodes, as real criminals evade accountability.
The lives and safety of people remain at risk, because the actual perpetrators are still free.
Blaming dogs doesn’t just hurt animals—it fails to protect people. It replaces evidence-based investigation with mob justice and emotional reaction.
Hiding in Plain Sight: The Human Danger
What makes these cases so alarming is that the true perpetrators relied on society’s willingness to blame dogs. They didn’t hide in the shadows—they hid in plain sight, using the chaos and controversy surrounding street dogs as a smokescreen.
In doing so, they exploited:
Public prejudice against street dogs.
Institutional weaknesses in law enforcement and forensic investigation.
The media's hunger for a dramatic, simple story.
This is how murderers go free. This is how justice is obstructed.
Conclusion: It's Time to Look Closer
The deaths of Nazmi Önal and Fatma El Muhammed are stark reminders that assumptions can be deadly. Street dogs should not become convenient scapegoats for human violence. Every time we allow fear and misinformation to shape our response, we risk letting the true culprits walk away.
It’s time to stop looking at dogs—and start looking at the evidence.
Justice demands it. Truth demands it. And the victims, both human and animal, deserve nothing less.
If you believe in evidence-based justice and protecting innocent lives—both human and animal—join us in speaking out. Share this story. And support organisations working on the ground to defend street dogs and promote humane, fact-driven policies.
Your voice can help change the narrative—and save lives.