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Turkey's interior minister is vowing to implement a law to remove stray dogs after the death of a 2-year-old child last week.

What is the 'massacre law'?

Labeled the "massacre law" by animal welfare groups, the legislation was passed by parliament in 2024 requiring municipalities to collect stray dogs and house them in shelters to be vaccinated, neutered or spayed before making them available for adoption.

According to the Associated Press, dogs that are in pain, terminally ill or present a health risk to humans will be euthanized. Although this legislation was passed last year, municipal authorities have only partially enacted it.

Girl killed by stray dogs

The backstory: Two-year-old Rana El Selci died after being attacked by a pack of stray dogs in Konya, central Turkey, on March 7, the Associated Press reported. The child's death sparked a renewed outcry about the 4 million stray dogs that the government estimates wander Turkey's streets and rural areas.

A criminal investigation began after Selci's death as municipal workers began collecting dogs in Konya. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the AP that the government was "taking determined steps to ensure the implementation of the law."

Some oppose the 'massacre law'

Local perspective: Animal lovers fear the legislation will lead to dogs being killed or neglected, leading to overcrowded shelters. When the legislation was passed, some opposed to it vowed that its municipalities would not implement the round-up of strays.

The law resulted in demonstrations in multiple cities in Turkey which pushed for the elimination of an article that would allow some animals to be euthanized. Protests also took place in other European countries with people claiming that the law would discourage tourists from coming to Turkey.