Special Report: Turkey Stray Dog Dilemma | Pt. 2

Special Report: Turkey Stray Dog Dilemma | Pt. 2

Author: As It Should Be Productions October 15, 2024 Duration: 19:49

PART TWO - One of the most hot-button discussions in Turkey is how street dogs impact everyday citizens. Most people in cities like Istanbul are used to it, with a long tradition of living alongside them. However, in peripheral areas, there is not always as much support. When government municipalities started to push strays from city centers to outside suburban and rural areas, out of their natural environment, there have been a relatively small number of attacks and accidents. These have reportedly been sensationalized in the media, making it seem like a bigger phenomenon, and said to be weaponized by the government to instill fear. 


With the Turkish parliament passing the so-called ‘massacre law’ in July 2024, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government positioned it as a way to protect civilians from these stray dogs. However, in reality, this will be used as a way to significantly harm many strays. Animal rights activists have tried to present alternate solutions or volunteer their time and services, but so far the government has closed the door on that dialogue.  


In the second episode of this two-part series, we spoke to local guests about how much stray dogs would be missed from the streets and how the government should embrace the passionate and hard-working animal rights community to reach a better solution that still addresses the overpopulation problem while going about it safely and humanely.


Guest experts featured, in order, include Ahmet Senpolat (HAYTAP, Animal Rights Federation), Nazlan Ertan (journalist), Lisanne Hillen (Melez Dog Rescue), and Elizabeth Lo (filmmaker).


For more information about the episode, guests, and featured links: dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/turkey-stray-dog-dilemma-2024-pt-2


We often talk about saving dogs, but what happens when the roles are reversed? Dog Save The People explores that quiet, profound exchange. Hosted by Dr. Sharon Holland, an author and professor whose work examines the moral lines we draw between species, this podcast listens deeply to the stories that emerge from life with a dog. Each conversation reveals how the daily acts of feeding, walking, and caring for a canine companion can unexpectedly reshape our own routines, priorities, and emotional well-being. You’ll hear from a variety of people-families, kids, athletes, and those navigating mental health challenges-about the tangible ways a dog’s presence alters the rhythm of a home, encourages physical activity, and forges a unique kind of companionship. Produced by As It Should Be Productions, the series doesn’t offer training tips but instead considers the philosophical underpinnings of these relationships. It’s about the mutual rescue, the subtle fitness of heart and body that comes from having a responsibility to another creature. Tune in for a thoughtful, grounded discussion that goes beyond the simple joy of pet ownership to consider how these bonds fundamentally alter who we are, making the case that sometimes, the leash pulls both ways. This is a podcast for anyone who suspects their dog has done more for them than they could ever repay.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Dog Save The People
Podcast Episodes
Rock Solid w/ Kristin Ann Jones [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:27
Kristin Ann Jones was going through a rough stretch – she was forced to retire early from a job she loved, she lost her mother, and her daughter developed health issues. But when the world was feeling overwhelming and sh…
Mindful Presence w/ Paola Hernández [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:32
Paola Hernández is a fashion designer based in New York, born and raised in Mexico City. Growing up, she did have dogs, but they were viewed separately from the main family. However, when she met her now-husband and saw…
Selfless Protector w/ Meredith May [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:35
Meredith May is a book author and former longtime journalist at the San Francisco Chronicle, where she was shortlisted for Pulitzer Prize. Her latest book, Loving Edie, details her experience and lessons learned from an…
Re-issue: Drawing Inspiration w/ Maira Kalman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:53
As we pass the two-year mark of the pandemic, we thought it would be good to bring back one of the guests we interviewed in our office before everything shut down. You may know her great illustrations that feature dogs,…
Revealing Compassion w/ Elissa Altman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:29
Elissa Altman is an author of memoirs, essays, and narrative stories – including winning a James Beard award for her food blog, Poor Man's Feast. Her latest book, Motherland, details her complicated relationship with her…
Boundless Play w/ Pilley Bianchi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:43
Dr. John Pilley taught his dog Chaser over 1,000 words to become "the smartest dog in the world." His daughter, Pilley Bianchi, saw the process unfold and took away many lessons – including how her dad taught Chaser thro…
Making The Difference w/ Robert Macpherson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:49
Robert Macpherson served in the U.S. Marines as an aid worker and career infantry officer – earning multiple awards of valor – with service in Vietnam, Iraq, and Somalia. Following that, he led humanitarian response miss…
Unwavering Friend w/ Dr. Chris Blazina [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:09
Dr. Chris Blazina is a licensed psychologist and author who specializes in male psychology. He came to recognize the importance of animal companions in the lives of men, especially dogs. While the term “Man’s Best Friend…
Inner Reflections w/ Grisha Stewart [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:51
Grisha Stewart is a dog training expert, author, and online dog school facilitator based in Oregon, who specializes in dog reactivity and canine empowerment. She has been training dogs for two decades and counting, using…
Re-issue: Pay It Back w/ George Hahn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:58
As our most popular episode of 2021, we are re-issuing our interview with George Hahn – a jack of many trades (social media consultant, writer, actor, and sartorialist). As a kid, he briefly had a dog who eventually went…