Killing of Stray Animals: A Historical, Ethical and Scientific Review SEYHAN ULUDAG
Türkçe
Killing of Stray Animals: A Historical, Ethical and Scientific Review SEYHAN ULUDAG With the new law enacted in Turkey, the killing of stray animals is an issue that shakes the social conscience and leads to deep ethical debates. Humanity's relationship with animals has changed throughout history. Since ancient times, animals have played an important role in people's daily lives. Hunting, agriculture, domestic animals and humans have formed a mutual dependency relationship. However, changes brought about by urbanisation and modern life have led to an increase in the number of stray animals and these animals have been seen as a ‘problem’. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, animal rights movements began to emerge in the Western world. These movements defended the idea that animals should not suffer and that non-human creatures should also have the right to life. Since the 1950s, legal regulations on animal welfare have started to be made and these regulations have developed further over time. The struggle for animal rights in Turkey has been shaped in parallel with the developments in the Western world. Law No. 5199 on the Protection of Animals, adopted in 2004, has been recognised as an important step towards the protection and welfare of animals. However, various problems were experienced in the implementation of this law and animal rights activists argued that the existing regulations were insufficient. In 2021, a new animal rights law was adopted, introducing important changes to prevent mistreatment of animals and increasing penalties. However, new regulations on the killing of stray animals have led to this law being considered as a step backwards in terms of animal rights. The killing of stray animals harbours serious ethical problems. The idea that non-human creatures have the right to life and should be protected from suffering is one of the basic principles of modern ethics. Modern ethical philosophers such as Peter Singer argue that animals have the capacity to suffer and therefore should be protected ethically. Animal rights advocates state that the killing of stray animals negatively affects human beings' relationship with nature and other living beings and damages the social conscience. It is also emphasised that such practices reinforce the social culture of violence and insensitivity and have negative effects on children. For a society where humans and animals can live together in harmony, more humane and sustainable solutions should be developed. It is possible to develop more humane and sustainable solutions instead of killing stray animals. There are successful examples from around the world to solve the problem of stray animals: Neutering and vaccination programmes can be used to control stray animals. This method controls the animal population and reduces the number of stray animals over time. Shelters and rehabilitation centres can be established for stray animals. In these centres, health checks can be carried out and animals can find new homes through adoption programmes. Education and awareness campaigns can be organised to raise awareness and sensitivity of the society on animal rights. Education programmes especially for children can contribute to the formation of a more sensitive society in the future. Legal regulations should be strengthened and deterrent penalties should be applied to prevent mistreatment of animals. Killing stray animals is a practice that has serious historical and ethical problems. More humane and sustainable solutions should be developed for a society where humans and animals can live together in harmony. The struggle for animal rights is an important task to protect social conscience and ethical values. While capitalism often disregards the right to life of animals with profit-oriented approaches, the protection of animals should be ensured through social and legal regulations. Changing the laws on the killing of stray animals and adopting more humane solutions are vital for the welfare of both animals and society. While modern ethical and scientific understandings emphasise that animals should not suffer and their right to life should be protected, social conscience should act in this direction. All belief systems and ethical theories advocate the sanctity of life and that every living being should be respected. Therefore, stray animals should be protected and respected, not killed.
