Istanbul, Nov 24, (dpa/GNA) – Feeding stray dogs in Istanbul will be prohibited in future, and the dogs are also to be banned from public areas in the Turkish metropolis, the provincial authorities decreed on Monday.
Street dogs will be banned from footpaths, health and educational facilities, airports, places of worship, parks and gardens with the aim of preventing the spread of vermin and environmental pollution, they said.
No details were provided on possible punishments.
The new measures also aim to accelerate the capture and spaying of ownerless dogs, and their housing in animal shelters. Municipalities will be responsible for implementing the new rules.
The issue has became highly controversial since a law was passed last year, that allowed stray dogs to be put down in certain cases. Municipalities can now be compelled to capture free-roaming animals and house them in shelters.
The shelters look for new owners to take care of the animals.
GNA