UK tourists ’boycott’ Turkey and rush to ’cancel holidays’ over new law

11 August 2024 , 17:57

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UK tourists ’boycott’ Turkey and rush to ’cancel holidays’ over new law

A controversial new law has been introduced in Turkey which has seen the government declare stray dogs can be rounded up and culled

UK holidaymakers are up in arms, pledging a "boycott" of Turkey and "cancelling" their planned getaways in light of a contentious new legislation.

The so-called "dog massacre" law, sanctioned by the government, authorises the collection and potential culling of stray canines - an act that’s sparked public outrage. The legislation is ostensibly designed to take dogs off the streets and house them in shelters, yet it also specifies that any dog displaying aggression or suffering from incurable ailments will be euthanised. 

This drastic measure comes in the wake of rising concerns over animal attacks, traffic incidents, and rabies, with turkey facing an estimated population of 4 million strays, Birmingham Live reports.

One wrathful X user blasted the law, writing: "Mr Erdogen, do you still remember that day, during 2023 Turkey Earthquake, Indian sniffer dogs rescued a girl trapped in quake rubble. Mr Erdogen, if you are a human, withdraw the dog Massacre law right now. #BoycottTurkey #Turkey ".

Another irate individual shared: "#Turkey was on my 2025 to visit list. It’s a beautiful country and I looked forward to seeing dogs at cafes, shops...The people who love those dogs must be heartbroken. @trpresidency IS #HEARTLESS so my trip to Turkey is canceled #BoycottTurkey #DogKiller".

Another comment read: "Turkey is currently carrying out the greatest dog massacre ever recorded in history. Emboldened by the "dog slaughter law" that recently passed, evil people are poisoning stray dogs en masse. Please don’t stay quiet. #BoycottTurkey ". 

"Crazy Erdogan makes stray dogs "Enemies of the State" to be rounded up and slaughtered in an animal genocide #BoycottTurkey," another added. One said: "During the mass dog killings that took place in Ankara yesterday, the streets of Altndag...Women are crying out in the streets to save the spayed and vaccinated street dogs #BoycottTurkiye ".

Sharing a picture of another dog, one user said: "Eres is one of the lucky dogs to have a chance at life. Eres is in #Turkey. They are picking up st dogs, who lived peacefully for centuries and killing them. Eres comes to the US mid month. Everyone counts. He needs a #foster or #adopter."

Another wrote: "Warning highly distressing images ! Dogs being poisoned in death shelters in Turkey as President Erdogan declares them "enemies of the state" We are witnessing the worst slaughter of dogs in modern history in Turkey,".

Elizabeth Baker