Newsletters
Istanbul Governorate warned residents Monday not to feed stray dogs around hospitals, schools, airports, places of worship, parks, gardens, roadside areas or children’s playgrounds. The uncontrollable feeding results in health and environmental issues, according to the governorate's press statement.
Across Türkiye, a series of fatal dog attacks and a growing stray dog population in recent years has fueled public concern, and calls for tighter regulation have grown louder.
The Istanbul Governorate had moved to accelerate municipal action, stressing that stray dogs must be collected, sterilized and transferred to shelters or designated natural living areas.
In its statement, the governorate noted that municipalities have already been allocated land to build shelters and natural life zones. Local administrations had been instructed to finalise planning, tender and construction processes swiftly so rehabilitation efforts can pick up speed.
The new directive also highlights a key decision taken earlier by the Provincial Animal Protection Board, which emphasised that uncontrolled feeding in certain public areas creates environmental problems and poses health risks.
Authorities warn that increased rodent and insect activity, pollution and disruptions to ecological balance make unregulated feeding unsustainable.
Accordingly, feeding stray dogs will no longer be allowed in areas such as hospitals, schools, airports, places of worship, parks, gardens, roadside areas or children’s playgrounds. The governorate underlines that these restrictions aim to reduce possible risks to public safety while keeping the situation under control.
The directive calls on responsible supervisors to closely follow implementation and avoid disruptions.
1 min read
