Last May, a dog genocide took place in the Kepez, Konyaalti and Muratpasa areas of Antalya in Turkey.
It was so appalling that animal rights defenders from all around the world stood up against it. Over 20 mass graves were found, and there were over 5000 dead dogs in them. It took days for all the graves to be dug and all the bodies to be exhumed. During the first days, it was understood that some dogs, including puppies, had been buried alive. Some of those puppies were rescued, others gone. The authorities were arguing that there was a rabies outbreak in Antalya so they had to kill the animals – yet many of the dogs killed were wearing ear tags indicating that they had been vaccinated against rabies. Rabies was simply a pretext.
Turkey’s most-widely circulating newspaper Hurriyet headlined this massacre with the title “Nazis in Antalya”. Like Hurriyet, other Turkish newspapers covered this massacre in their front pages for days. Turkey-wide protests were held in June in memory of the Antalya dogs. The pain of 5000 dogs was just too much for everybody.
In Turkey, you need permission from the minister of interior to be able to bring criminal charges against a mayor or a municipality. This procedure was followed in the aftermath of the Antalya massacre. Everybody wanted justice for those 5000 dogs. Those responsible had to be punished. For Minister Besir Atalay, that demand was too much. Just to keep up the appearances, the ministry held its own “preliminary inquiry” into the case. Of course, all the mayors concerned said “we did not do it”. The minister did now allow things to go any further. After that so-called preliminary inquiry, the case was closed. Nobody will be punished whatsover.
The most tragic of it all is that Besir Atalay decided everything in this massacre was “in line with the procedures”. Well, if that was in line with the procedures, we don’t even want to imagine what is not in line with the procedures.. For Mr. Atalay’s decision means that burying a puppy alive is procedure.
Mr. Minister: Would you like to benefit yourself from this procedure when you have some time? We don’t think so… But since you think that all of this is normal, you might want to share this information will all the other mayors in Turkey. For example, you could write a book entitled “How to Kill 5000 Dogs In Line With the Procedures”, and then gift it to all the mayors. Very occassionally, some municipalities get caught in the act or leave too much evidence behind. God forbid, you may actually have to punish some of them!
If you too are appalled by this decision, please send a message to Besir Atalay with the title “We Won’t Forget the Antalya Massacre”.
mahalli@mahalli-idareler.gov.tr
This hell must be stopped.
Shame on the responsable of these exterminations. Turkey does not respect life of animals. Turkey shows to the world an image of the inhumanity It is not an advisable country.
This must stop
Definitely one more reason NOT to accept Turkey in Europe ; such barbarians are not civilised enough
An absolute disgrace – these are uncivilised,disgusting people. FOR SHAME – my heart weeps for those poor animals!
How horrible cruel and mean!
Disgusting and disgraceful. I’m speechless with horror.
First helpless animals then what?? YOUR CHILDREN…………
It starts with the Politcians who sanction these “Death Squads” may they rot in hell with the men who do these barbaric acts! What gives them the rights to do this to these animals ~ Shame on them all! My heart justs bleeds when i hear of such things that still go on in this so called 21st century of ours.
It doesn’t look like Turkey and its politicians are doing any better right now. What is the story about Jonah? What is going on in regards to the dogs and other animals in Turkey right now? Who is there to oversee the efforts of the international community and animal rights activists? Have any sanctions been made? Has the government made a statement and provided anything to say or show that they want to or plan to change the way these animals are treated? I don’t think any of us can trust them to do anything that is right. I think they are lying now and will continue to do so. There should be no relief in regards to the pressure that the international community places on Turkey to get their act together and stop these practices and to put an end to their barbaric, inhumane, sociopathic behavior and practices. Shape up, Turkey! Pass laws to safeguard animals, stick to it, enforce it, abide by it yourselves (municipalities) and do what is right. Bring yourself to the 21st century and become responsible for your actions. It is a disgrace and unacceptable. Furthermore, it is intollerable and you should be punished in a hefty way for it! I am boycotting all that is Turkey and my family and friends are as well. I will not only boycott, but I will also protest any chance I get, discuss the issues and pursuade everyone I can to join the boycott. That includes our own politicians, law makers and dignitaries (if that word even applies – as dignity would be implied and I am not sure that is the case). I call on Turkey to show the world it has compassion for animals, it is improving the shelters and it is putting a hault to the massacre and mistreatment of animals in the entire country! Do it now!
The more I read, the more my heart breaks. Puppies buried alive??? Where is the justice for these murderous wretches that disguise themselves as human beings? Where is their heart? Buried in greed and pride I assume. This MUST STOP!!
What is wrong with these people why would you euthanize a healthy dog? Did they take them from peoples homes??
If they had been vaccinated?What the hell for?
Does your country have such a hatred for dogs that you can even bury them alive what a horrific way to die what an injustice to die at all…
[...] http://turkeymassacre.wordpress.com/2008/10/29/no-justice-for-antalya-dogs/ [...]
Why?
this bitter truth is too much to tolerete.looking at these horrible pictures helplesly started to ruın my life.my dogs are like my kids and all my friends keep their cats and dogs in their homes.we even quit travelling not to leave them behind.what are these idiots doing?avril,please,is your organisation powerful enough to publish this violence on some popular newspaper with all details ı just received?
Have no words for this cruelty
Let this people go to hell!!!
This is a disgusting thing to do – heart breaking.
The ones who are responsible for this must truly be a monsters. Sometimes the worst animal is the human, it would seem true in this case.
Hmph. From the looks of things, this site is one dedicated to bashing Turkey and the Turkish people rather than promoting sympathy for the animals being killed.
Shame on the killers. They should be at the place of the animals. And they want to enter the EU! And they want tourists!