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
Celebrating Differences w/ Chris Hannah [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:03
Chris Hannah is an elementary school teacher who along with his “deaf superhero” pitbull, Cole, has made it a mission to help teach students the importance of empathy. In particular, they try to teach this in relation to…
Unconditional Acceptance w/ Christine Hassing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:14
Christine Hassing is an author, leadership mentor, and inspirational speaker. Her soulmate dog, Roo, inspired her first memoir “To the Moon and Back to Me” and sparked her passion for writing. But while Christine’s first…
Precious Moments w/ Sally Muir [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:56
Sally Muir is a dog artist, author, and former knitwear designer. Her lifetime love for dogs eventually became her artistic muse, focusing on the beauty and patience of dogs in their old age, and what they can teach us a…
Making Sense of Dogs w/ Ellen Furlong [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:50
Ellen Furlong is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) who specializes in the study of canine cognition, including an emphasis on the importance of smell for dogs. Her interest in und…
New Way to Play w/ Sylvia Heisel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:21
Sylvia Heisel is an award-winning fashion designer and now the Co-Founder of DogPark Production. It’s a company she started with her husband, Scott Taylor, to rethink the idea of what dog parks could be. Initially they w…
Safe Space w/ Nick Poulton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:00
Nick Poulton is a “Dog Dude” host at Dudes & Dogs, a mental health wellbeing initiative for men based around the simple idea of guys going for walks with their dogs and opening up about their feelings. Having the dogs ar…
Shared Comfort w/ Kate Leaver [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:30
Kate Leaver is a journalist, book author, and speaker. Her new book, Good Dog, draws on science and real-life examples to show how much a dog can help with dealing with life hardships. This includes her own story of navi…
Deeper Message w/ Michael Burke [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:19
Michael Burke is a dog behavior consultant and life coach. After learning about dog sensitivity and how his own actions were being reflected through his first dog, Cooper, he decided to gain a better understanding of dog…
Safest Bet w/ Philip Tedeschi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:20
Philip Tedeschi is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection at the University of Denver. It was the first program to offer specialization in human-animal interactions alongside a…
Taking Care w/ Topher Brophy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:41
Topher Brophy is a creator who has gained an international following on Instagram with playful photos of his dog, Rosenberg, where they dress up in matching outfits and truly look alike. While the images are both fun and…