The new Turkish Animal Protection Law came into being in June 2004 - the first such law to be passed in a Muslim country.

The Animal Protection Law

The new Turkish Animal Protection Law came into being in June 2004 - the first such law to be passed in a Muslim country. This law will have a direct effect on all dogs owners, pet shops and municipalities responsible for controlling stay dogs and enforcing the laws.

• The importation of dogs and puppies from other countries such as Bulgaria and Greece has to be stopped at the borders by Customs controls.

• Pet shops should not be allowed to sell dogs and cats. They are normally kept in small cages, so this practice will be illegal.

• Dog breeders will be licenced and strictly controlled.

• Privately owned dogs must be neutered and registered. 

• People who abandon their dog or puppy on the street will be fined.

• Any privately owned dog that is wandering the streets would be assumed a stray dog and will be collected and taken to the neutering center for operation.

• Privately owned dogs whose owners cannot afford the cost of neutering will have the service provided cost-free at the neutering center.

• People who want to breed their dogs will have to pay a dog-tax and they must obtain a breeders licence.

• Stray dogs are to be taken to a neutering center. Those that are suitable for re-homing will be taken to a re-homing center. Those dogs that are considered to be unsuitable for re-homing will be returned to the street.

• Other dogs that have been collected and are sick or dangerous will be euthanised.

• The ownership of dogs by people living in apartments will be subject to the agreement of the other tenants of the apartment.

• It is illegal for municipalities to kill stray dogs.