Unthinkable Cruelty at Kars Animal Shelter: A Call for Accountability
Recent footage from Kars, Turkey—notably captured via drone—has shocked online audiences with its graphic display of cruelty: dogs being mercilessly beaten with sticks, lifted into the air, and violently thrown to the ground until death took them. The scenes have ignited widespread condemnation and raised urgent questions about the protection of vulnerable animals in municipal care facilities
The Political Response: Investigation and Promises
Kars Mayor Prof. Dr. Ötüken Senger responded swiftly and strongly to the public outcry. Calling the situation “not only an administrative issue, but a moral, human, and ethical one,” he announced that both administrative and judicial investigations had been launched immediately. Senger pledged that those responsible would face the strictest disciplinary actions under the law and municipal regulations. A statement from the Kars Governorship confirmed that the images were under thorough review, and that an official legal case had commenced
More Than a Scandal—A Symbol of Neglect
This isn't an isolated outrage; it reflects systemic failures in animal welfare and oversight. The voice of İbrahim Kaya, an animal rights advocate, underscores the broader crisis: he condemns the normalization of such violence and criticises the notion that harsh laws provide real protection for animals. Kaya’s words are a wake-up call: “This law is a bloody law,” he asserted, pointing out that shelters should be places of compassion—not cruelty
What This Means for Animal Welfare in Turkey
If this shocking case in Kars has shown us anything, it is that too many so-called “shelters” are places of suffering rather than safety. Dogs deserve protection, not brutality—and the only way to stop this cycle is to hold failing shelters accountable. We are calling for the closure of facilities that neglect or abuse the animals in their care, and for investment in truly humane alternatives.
Please add your voice to our petition today and help us demand justice for the dogs of Kars, and for every animal trapped in a broken system. Sign here