For years, the street dogs of Türkiye have been integral to our communities and culture, living side by side with residents, providing companionship, and even playing roles in city folklore. However, an alarming darkness has descended upon them due to Law No. 7527, horrifically nicknamed the "Massacre Law." This legislation permits the brutal and inhumane treatment of these innocent animals. For months, heartbreaking scenes have played out across Türkiye: dogs beaten to death, poisoned, and left to suffer with unimaginable injuries. They are starved, deprived of water, and shelter. Some have been horrifically buried alive; others brutally dragged from the safety of familiar streets, darted by unqualified individuals, garrotted, hanged, mutilated, and tortured.

With the upcoming COP31 set to take place in November 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, it is imperative that the world's attention be brought to this crisis. Hosting a global event focused on climate change and sustainability is hypocritical while simultaneously allowing such cruelty to persist unchecked. It is a direct contradiction to the spirit of environmental responsibility and compassion that COP embodies.

The suffering of these dogs is a call to action for all of us. Studies have shown that cruelty to animals often precedes and is linked to broader societal violence. Normalizing such brutality in any form erodes the ethical foundations of our communities and hinders our pursuit of a more just world.

We demand immediate accountability and action from the Turkish government. The repeal of Law No. 7527 is essential. Moreover, authorities must initiate a comprehensive program aimed at humane management of street dog populations, ensuring that all efforts to control urban animal populations adhere to international ethical standards. We implore global leaders attending COP31 to engage with Turkish authorities and advocate for the urgent protection of animal rights.

Prominent animal welfare groups, alongside citizens worldwide, are ready to support efforts in Türkiye to develop programs for spaying, neutering, and adoption campaigns that prioritize compassion and coexistence over cruelty and extermination.

Join us in standing against this atrocity. By signing this petition, you are voicing collective outrage and calling for humane reform. Our voices must be louder than the silence masking this abuse. Together, we can pressure change and hold leaders accountable before COP31. Sign the petition to end the massacre and demand justice for Türkiye's street dogs now.