71,965 TL fine per dog in Konya

The Provincial Animal Rights Board Meeting was held in the DSI 4th ​​Regional Directorate Meeting Hall with the participation of Konya Metropolitan Municipality, 31 district municipalities and relevant unit managers.

Konya Governor İbrahim Akın made a statement regarding the decisions taken after the meeting. Stating that the animals taken to the shelters will be recorded in the data system of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Akın noted that the rehabilitated dogs will be housed in animal shelters until they are adopted.

Drawing attention to the opportunities provided by the Konya Metropolitan Municipality Stray Animal Shelter and Rehabilitation Center, Akın spoke as follows:

"There is a fully equipped animal hospital here for sick, injured and animals in need of care. Services are provided to stray animals in various units such as surgery, maternity, internal medicine, emergency, intensive care and dental clinics. In addition, studies are ongoing to control the stray animal population in our province. In this context, 43,885 stray animals have been neutered until January 2025. Again, our Konya Metropolitan Municipality has put 5 fully equipped animal ambulance vehicles called Canbulan into service for stray animals as of 2021."

Akın emphasized that the studies carried out in the province regarding the issue were evaluated at the meeting and decisions were made to guide the studies, and noted the following:

"Since local animal protection officers were removed with the amendment to the law, the current ID cards will be cancelled. Municipalities with a population of over 25 thousand are required to establish animal shelters and improve existing ones by December 31, 2028 at the latest, and since the law has entered into force, the collection of animals and their placement in shelters will begin. Municipalities with a population of under 25 thousand who are not required to establish shelters will make a protocol with the relevant municipality to benefit from the nearest shelter, and a copy of the protocol will be sent to the Nature Conservation and National Parks Directorate."

Konya Governor İbrahim Akın said, "Since it is forbidden to release dogs taken to shelters into nature after rehabilitation, municipalities will be notified that an administrative fine of 71,965 lira per animal will be imposed on those who act otherwise. Priority will be given to areas where there are complaints, attack cases and risks of infectious diseases such as rabies, and the collection of animals will be ensured. A sub-commission will be formed with the participation of relevant institutions to regulate the processes of adopting animals from shelters. Strict inspections will be carried out to prevent the illegal breeding and sale of cats and dogs."