Brigitte Bardot addressed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to “warn about the dire threat facing stray animals” in Turkey with a bill currently under consideration in the Turkish National Assembly.

The former great film star, whose foundation deals with the protection of animals, in a letter, a copy of which was obtained by AFP, opposes a very controversial bill that provides for the euthanasia of about four million stray dogs in the Turkey.

“Turkey is so far an example of compassion for stray cats and dogs that can live in harmony with the population,” writes “BB”.

“Do not let Turkey become a country that is not loved and criticized for its indifference and cruelty to the sensitive beings who are our most loyal companions,” Brigitte Bardot continued.

The bill has sparked a backlash from animal welfare organizations and citizens, and the mobilization of animal rights advocates who fear it could lead to widespread killing of animals.

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the pro-Kurdish People’s Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) are joining animal rights activists who argue that mass sterilization would be a more humane solution to the growing number of dogs on the streets. .

The draft law, which is currently being considered in a parliamentary committee before soon being tabled in Turkey’s National Assembly, and tabled by President Erdogan’s ruling party, pits groups advocating for safer streets free of feral dogs against animal rights activists. animals to speak of slaughter and to request the withdrawal of the bill.

The bill would require municipalities to remove stray dogs from the streets and keep them in shelters until they can be adopted. “Aggressive” dogs or those with incurable diseases will be “euthanized”, as will those that are not adopted. The bill also requires all municipalities to spend at least 0.3% of their annual budget on animal care services and building shelters.

“Besides being barbaric, euthanasia or captivity are counterproductive measures that only make the problem worse,” emphasizes the French star.

“We have a problem with stray dogs, the equivalent of which does not exist in any other developed country,” President Erdogan said at the end of May, referring in particular to the increase in rabies cases – Turkey is classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a “high danger’ – and accidents caused by or caused by dogs, which have caused 55 deaths and more than 5,000 injuries in the past five years, he said.

It is estimated that around 4 million stray dogs roam the streets and rural areas of Turkey.