Press Release
PRESS STATEMENT
FALSE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST THE WARM HOME OF ANIMALS LIVING ON THE STREET, THE ANIMAL SHELTER OF THE BEYKOZ MUNICIPALITY !!!
Beykoz is the borough with the most street dogs in Istanbul, even with the most in Turkey. The number of the dogs in the district has reached nearly 20.000
..This is more than the population of many districts in Istanbul. There are about 1000 dogs in the Beykoz animal shelter
The capacity during the former term was about 100 and with additional spaces built since 2004 the capacity was raised to 900. The shelter which offers care for different dog breeds has an emergency service, a mobile clinic car and a small hospital. The Beykoz animal shelter offers care for all dogs living on the street and is regularly inspected by 2 municipal vetenerians and one coordinator.
The Beykoz Munipality and the biggest animal rights organizations in Turkey DOHAYKO, Angels on the Streets (Sokaktaki Melekler) and HAYTAP organized different campaigns with the slogans “I have an earring, my vaccination is complete”, “In fact they only want to say one thing” and due to its strong and determined attitude agaist the killing of dogs the municipality is shown as exemplary in Turkey
The Beykoz Municipality, who often had to face animal lovers because of the killing of dogs during the former term, stopped the killing of dogs with the decision of Muharrem ERGÜL, who was chosen Mayor of Beykoz in 2004.
There are false accusations stating that the Beykoz Municipality will close the animal shelter by giving it to private companies, that all the personnel will be dismissed and the animals will be abandoned to their fate. These accusations harm and upset us.
Till today 2 veterinarians, 6 caretakers,2 security officers and 1 coordinator have worked for the animal shelter which is part of the sanitary management of the Beykoz Municipality. Today the same team is working for the shelter. The personnel has not been increased or reduced. The specialist veterinarians have not been changed. It is not even on our agenda that the animal shelter will be handed over to private companies and run by them.
The animal shelter of the Beykoz Municipality is open to every person and organization who wants to give support and for every volunteer who wants to help.
The false and unjust accusations about our animal loving Municipality have hit us really hard and we are very upset about this.
The animal shelter receives special food regularly every week and the costs are met by our municipality budget. It is said that in Turkey and abroad donations and aid are being collected by using the name of our shelter and that illegal selling of dogs takes place. Because of our sensitivity about this subject we had to take some precautions.
The animal shelter of the Beykoz Municipality is open to all animal loving volunteers and can be visited by every person and organization. We are open to visits and inspections of all non-governmental organizations who have proven themselves to be animal lovers and are known for their interest in animals. It is important for us that the help, support and interest is transparent, legal und verifiable. For more and detailed information please visit our website.
Hi,
I emailed to the mayor and his replacer:
————————————————————————————-
Dear Mr. Ergül and Mr. Öksüz,
I’m writing to you in great concerns. I can’t understand why you are letting 2000 dogs die in a cruel way. Not allowing Berrin Olcay en Yasmin Baban, who worked so hard the last years in the asylum of Beykoz to make it better for the dogs, to give the dogs water and food they desperately need. How can you let this happen? What did the dog do to you to have to suffer this?
Are you already forgotten that after the earthquake in Turkey, the Netherlands send a group of people with DOGS to look for survivors. Yes, DOGS helped you in the time of great need and now you are letting dogs starve to dead!!!!!!
I can’t understand why 2000 dogs have to suffer because of vicious lies that have been spread. I can’t understand that a country who wants to be a part of the EU so desperate believes that the countries of the same EU are willing to pay € 300 for a dog and then use it for testing. If you are really want to be a part of the EU, just get your facts straight. We know that there are animals used for testing but there are laws in making that that will not be permitted in the near future.
I beg you to stop this cruel act against the dogs and threat them with respect; they are living animals with emotions and pain. Stop this at once and allow Berrin Olcay en Yasmin Baban and their staff back again in the asylum.
Diane Beijer
President of the Foundation for the help of Animals Crete.
———————————————————————————-
and guess, I got the press statement back from Mehmet Abay, I don’t believe a word fo it and responded with the pictures of the burried dogs in the stand..
It is unbelievable that they keep to persist that nothing is wrong, those fools..!!!!!!!!!
Diane
Diane Beijer
April 27, 2008 at 11:43 am