It is sad! and ridiculous. Someone owned these dogs or their descendants, so why aren't they held responsible as in the UK and other European countries. I have read about the culling of stray dogs in Istanbul before, I think in the late 50's early 60's. It obviously did not work.

We noticed strays in Oludeniz, although causing no problems, but there were visibly unkempt and not cared for.

Culling is one solution and probably the kindest but have another solution ready so as not to repeat the episode.

I don't know about Turkey or England, but we have animal adoptions here. Every week they show on the news animals, cats, dogs etc.. that need a home. I'm sure not every animal gets adopted, but at least there is an attempt to save them.

In some neighborhoods, the dogs are really bad. I know many women that are afraid to walk at night because of these dog packs. Especially after dark, its not uncommon for these dogs to follow people and bark. I have never heard of anyone actually being bitten. In Fulya where I live, we have a couple of different groups of dogs. And the same dogs have been here for years. I dont know why the government lets them stay in the city. It would be easy to catch them and move them outside the city. Even stranger is that there has been the same dog that sleeps in front of the Marmara Hotel in Taksim for years. Welcome to our modern city!!!

I know this will attract criticism but large cities are no place for dogs (in general).
There is so little green to begin with so where are these animals supposed to go and excercise?
For every 10 "good owners" who clean after their dogs, there is always the bad owner that leaves the animals crap wherever it happens to go. In winter, its bad enough walking up and down the hills in snow without having to worry about these "gifts" left behind by stupid pet owners.
And these animals bark when the owner works. So the people in the building are left to deal with barking animals while again, the stupid owner is out for the day.

(How many friends have I lost today?)

thank god they dont bite at least

I completely agree with KeithL.
Too many stray dogs are a problem, because as a person who's generally not fond of dogs (due to bad experiences as a child) it can be somewhat frightening that they roam around in packs and fight eachother during the night. I haven't been bitten by a stray dog so far but I've sometimes been worried about it, and if you do get bitten there's a chance they're contageous with something. At least in the eastern part of Turkey it's adviced that you get a vaccination from anything the dogs are carrying.

And it's not like the dogs have a good life either. They always look like they starving and they just roam around with an expressionless face.

Oh my god, I'm not a pet person and I'm ultra afraid of cats and dogs... Are they really everywhere in Istanbul??

I saw loads of stray cats in Istanbul, but then they can look after themselves, but sill I dont like it. It does not do much for the city or any city for that matter, when there are stray dogs and cats wandering about all over.

I agree with you about stray cats - they are everywhere now wherever you go abroad it seems. However, I am not sure I like the UK way of dealing with them. There are very few stray cats in the UK because they are collected and "re-homed" in places like the RSPCA and the Cats Protection League. It seems a great idea - until you think deeper. Many of these cats are born wild and manage quite well on their own. Because we insist on thinking of them as pets, we think its better to see them shut in a "cell" for months rather than living in the wild. Its NOT! Quite often the wild or stray cats are never rehomed and are eventually "put to sleep" .

This problem (and that of stray dogs) is entirely down to human interference. These are animals are living away from their natural habitat and are brought to countries as pets and then irresponsible owners ensure they are neglected and cause a nuisance They are upsetting the natural balance in nature and small rodents and birds are becoming scarce because of them.

YET another case of humans destroying the natural eco system!

Reading this blog for a while, it has surprised me how these stray dogs are treated. It's sad, really

By the way, I'm talking about this link http://ehdkd.blogspot.com/

i think u should meet certain criteria before u r allowed to have a pet..n if u dont meet them then u dont get one..would save a lot of trouble..

It is like that many places, in spain there are many stray cats too....they look after themselves and no-one minds them... well that is until they come into the restaurants or near the fishing boats lol
As for dogs, there are some too but not as many as cats, but they were in poorer conditions

Hi the lady you mention runs a sanctuary for dogs and cats in Uzumlu just outside Fethiye. The centre is fantastic and does some really innovative stuff. They take strays from the streets, neuter, tag and return to where found. I wouldn't say she was eccentric, more just incredibly passionate about what she does.
Well worth a visit - and don't forget to give a donation, and resist the temptation to take them all home, some of the kittens.... well just gorgeous....

www.straydogsturkey.org

Theres a woman who lives in the Fethiye area, she takes in the strays the are tagged and she looks after them! Bless! She is said to be eccentric but still it is reassuring to know this, so next time you see a stray with a tag you will know that they are ok. I heard that in the area and I'm sure everywhere tghe local lads buy puppies to attracts the girls and then dump them when the seasons over. Sad but true.


sorry, re read your post, I think you're talking about a completely different lady- sorry !