The killing fields of Beykoz!!!

Letter to Bernie Ecclestone
President
Formula 1 Management LTD
6 Princes Road

London

Fortunately Mr. Senna survived the impact, although he was forced to abandon the race. It was a lucky escape for Mr. Senna, not so much for the dog, who died instantly.

It could have been much much worst. The accident could have involved not one but many drivers, and the consequences could have shaken the world of motor racing bringing memories of Ayrton Senna’s untimely death in San Marino.

The damage has been done though. Millions of people around the world cringed in front of their TV and computer screens during what would have been otherwise a wonderful experience.

Formula 1 and the sport are no strangers to blunders of this type. However, as embarrassing as it may be to some to see a naked man running around on Wimbledon’s central court it cannot compare to the sense of shame and underdevelopment that today stain the faces of the people responsible for yesterdays nightmarish moment.

Today in Istanbul there will be a search for responsibilities. Very likely one or two people at the security and maintenance departments will lose their jobs. More tragically hundreds of stray dogs will be rounded up and killed by municipalities seeking revenge for this shameful moment.

This situation has a very tragical background Mr. Ecclestone, and the person responsible for it is none other than Mr. Kadir Topbas, the Mayor of Istanbul Greater Municipality, a visionary architect that has simple failed to realize that cleaning and killing is not the solution to the Istanbul Stray dog problem and that the situation needs a more intelligent approach and long term approach, the correct implementation of a city-wide campaign of Neuter and Return.

I will not bore you with the details Mr. Ecclestone. I also will not remind you of the responsibilities of Formula 1 as a responsible investor responsible in big part for the image Turkey portrays to the world.

Formula 1 is one of the worlds biggest sports. With its worldwide supporting base it is more than just a mere commercial operation. It must also be a catalyst for change.

Yesterdays situation is faced every single day, hundreds of times, in  Istanbul’s roads. Animals, dumped at the highway by Municipalities running frenzied trying to avoid the coming traffic. These are the other Sights and Sounds of Istanbul, the ones CNN doesn’t show.

 

I would ask you Mr. Ecclestone, to kindly request a formal meeting with the Mayor of Istanbul and demand the correct implementation of a program of Neuter and Return.  By doing this you will not only protect the sport from a potential tragedy, you will also contribute to solving one of the country’s most embarrassing realities, the appalling condition of the Turkish Stray dogs.