Page 29 - Autumn 2024 Newsletter Online_Neat

450,000 street dogs who lived and always made welcome. Even the
roamed the streets and parks of this traffic stops for them, yet we humans
city! These dogs are legendary… in break the law if we cross roads
fact part of the city’s own heritage. without using the crossings provided
To put that into some sort of and risk an instant fine from the city
perspective countrywide, we are police. They carry guns so there’s no
talking 10 million stray dogs. Now argument! But of course, it’s okay
compare that to an estimated 60 for the dogs to come and go as they
million stray dogs in India. please! They seem to reign supreme
and can do nothing wrong. It’s
In 2004, following a public outcry in refreshing to see.
support of these dogs, the Turkish
government was forced to pass The government’s aim is to have all
protective legislation. Local govern- dogs eventually rounded up and
ment departments were required by placed in shelters while awaiting
law to rehabilitate rather than cull. adoption into permanent homes
It required animals to be sterilised, but this will be a massive task taking
vaccinated against parasites and many years to achieve. Many dogs
rabies then returned to the place apparently have already been taken
where they were found. The ear tags into care and adapt readily into
provide proof that veterinary care their new surroundings. You are
has been duly administrated. A however required by law to inform
national database with details is the authorities of your intentions
required for every animal and the bills and have their databases updated
have to be met by the local accordingly. When population control
authorities. So, there is widespread through euthanasia was being
affection for these magnificent debated, there was considerable
creatures. Surprisingly large, some public unrest and a resounding 97%
the size of the European Gray Wolf of those who voted rejected culling
and weighing in between 20 to 30 and supported the adoption route.
kilos, they are magnificent animals. Turkey doesn't necessarily jump to
Naturally there is a regional similarity my mind when you think of affection
of type which has evolved over the between man and animals but
years of close breeding. The Izmir following my visit I have changed my
dog has a sweet head, perhaps mind about that.
similar to that of a Retriever, a full
coat and a long full tail. Aggression While I continued to pass my
available cooler hours of the day
is rare and only normally happens on
the occasion where a pack is made to reading in the park, the degree of
feel vulnerable. It was interesting to public affection to these strays
note how the stray dogs seem to live became ever more evident. Many
in perfect harmony with the many people arrive with tins of dog and cat
thousands of stray cats. They all food, biscuits, bones and bottles of
seem at peace in each other's milk. Everywhere there were water
company, sharing food and drinking stations, some ingeniously placed
stations. So, to me these beautiful under permanently leaking irrigation
creatures represent the flip of the hoses, others with professionally
coin. Homeless, but happy and made basins with a float and valve
system.
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