Tourists clash with officials on beach in Turkey over controversial new law

Tourists have clashed with officials removing dogs from a Turkish beach in a video seen by the Express.

Under a new law introduced in Turkey last month, stray animals have to be removed from the streets and mayors who don’t comply face years in prison.

Although the government of Tayip Erdogan does not explicitly state dogs should be killed, the fact there are only an estimated 100,000 spaces in animal shelters for more than 4 million strays has already led to mass culls as councils round up animals.

Footage, seen by the Express, from the resort of Alitinoluk in the west of the Mediterranean country, shows a limping black animal struggling across the stones before being picked up by officials who attempt to load it into a van.

The men then clash with holidaymakers seeking to prevent the dog from being taken. Tourists in swimming trunks physically confront men in uniforms as other vacationers rush from the beach shouting to try and intervene.

As the dog struggles on the beach a crowd gathers around the animal and attempts to treat it.

A witness who watched events unfold and posted in a now-deleted social media story claimed officials had “sedated” the dog so they could safely remove it but that they and others on the beach were sceptical of this explanation.

When the Express approached the local authority for the area of Alitinoluk, Balıkesir, for comment it did not reply.

The incident comes as Brits, appalled by reports of terrible animal cruelty, vowed to boycott Turkish resorts, with many holidaymakers vowing never to return.

A local activist Alper Sunaçoğlu, who embarked on a hunger strike to draw attention to the plight of the animals, said the video of tourists clashing with local officials was a scene repeated across the country.

“Thousands of people have been protesting on the streets for months, boycotting and losing sleep,”  Sunaçoğlu explained.

“I’m an activist and a national swimmer, and I’m on a hunger strike. This bloody law is not only killing dogs but also cats. 

“It’s not just the animals; people like us, on hunger strikes, are also on the brink of death. 

“What’s more, elderly people who live on pensions and feed cats and dogs are having their pets taken away, leaving them as living corpses. That’s why we’re seeking the support of the international community.”

Sunaçoğlu claimed that the campaign against the new law and its consequences is being smeared by opponents blaming the animals.

He said: “Right now, all over Turkey, millions of dogs, who pose no harm to anyone, are being forcibly rounded up, buried alive and beheaded. There’s a major plot against these animals.

“Some people are slandering the dogs, trying to portray them as monsters. False, fabricated news stories are being circulated, making it seem as if there’s a dog attack on every corner, with children and people constantly under threat. 

“These stories are then shared and commented on by over 300,000 troll accounts, making animals the target, and leading to illegal roundups and slaughter. 

“No divine religion permits killing, yet these people, who claim to be Muslims, are committing massacres without any fear of God or shame before man, right in front of our eyes. This is the situation in Turkey.” 

Sunaçoğlu believes more than 500,000 dogs have been brutally killed so far across the country with the butchery including mothers and their puppies. 

The campaigner urged Brits to ignore claims that stray animals were dangerous.

“We’ve seen a lot of news reports suggesting that there are many dog attacks, implying that people shouldn’t travel to Turkey,” he added. 

“This is a completely false perception. On the contrary, there’s nothing to fear from dogs in Turkey. The reports are fabrications and slanderous. 

“But there are more dangerous beings than the dogs - those on two legs. Fear them, as they are the ones who can decapitate a puppy or bury a mother dog alive. Our country is full of cruel, brutal, perverted and murderous people. 

“I hope one day justice will prevail in your country, and these people will receive the punishment they deserve. We, as activists, will follow this process to the end, even at the cost of our lives. 

“Come to Turkey, visit us, explore our country with peace of mind - no animal will harm you. We would be honoured to host you. The reports are false and misleading, fabricated by those trying to create a legitimate reason to kill the dogs.”