Turkish municipality gives 10 liras for each stray dog

Faced with rapidly growing numbers of stray dogs, the southern province of Kilis has developed a new solution to the population problem by offering residents money for every canine captured.

“As it is difficult to catch these dogs through the municipality’s means alone, we decided to pay 10 Turkish Liras for each living dog brought in. This way, citizens have delivered us stray dogs,” said Kilis Mayor Abdi Bulut, who first conceived of the idea. “We have taken them into shelters and provided them with food and water.”

With the announcement of the award for every living dog apprehended on the streets, the municipality has succeeded in bringing many of the animals to shelters in the provincial center.

Following the announcement, many young people have begun dog hunts on the streets, with many delivering dogs found on the streets. Others even brought in dogs they own.

The municipality reportedly received 110 dogs on the first day of the implementation, which began Wednesday.

The stray dogs have been a source of complaints for some time, according to Bulut. The municipality will be neutering all dogs while also taking great care not to harm them, Bulut said. “No animal will face pain and none will be killed. A parasol is being made [for the shelter] to protect them from the sun. They will lead their life here.”


/Hurriyet Daily News/