Veterinarian Dr. Burcu Çevreli, evaluating the Istanbul Governorship's circular prohibiting the uncontrolled feeding of dogs in public areas, said, “Scientific research indicates that in animals that cannot be fed regularly, stress hormones rise, aggression increases, and the risk of disease proliferates. This situation can lead to more dangerous consequences for society.”
Dr. Burcu Çevreli, Faculty Member, stating that the increase in rodent (mice, rats) and pest (cockroaches, flies, ticks, etc.) populations in the streets is a well-known and scientifically explained situation in terms of urban ecology and public health, stated, “Among the main reasons for this increase are the degradation of habitats, construction activities, infrastructure excavations, and the reduction of wooded and green areas.”
Dr. Burcu Çevreli, Faculty Member at Üsküdar Üniversitesi, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, evaluated the Istanbul Governorship's circular prohibiting the uncontrolled feeding of dogs in public areas.
Instead of a One-Sided Ban, a Holistic Approach is Needed
Dr. Burcu Çevreli, Faculty Member, stated that feeding bans for stray animals are regulations with multi-dimensional consequences for public health, animal welfare, and urban ecology. She said, “Therefore, instead of a one-sided ban, a holistic approach based on scientific data is required. Scientific research indicates that in animals that cannot be fed regularly, stress hormones rise, aggression increases, and the risk of disease proliferates. This situation can lead to more dangerous consequences for society.”
Feeding Ban Does Not Reduce the Population
Dr. Burcu Çevreli, Faculty Member, noted that stray animals tend to protect their territory and defend it against external threats. She explained, “In stray dogs, this behavior plays an important role in maintaining territorial order, preventing the entry of foreign packs, and sustaining ecological balance. Suddenly starving and removing the population from an area leads to new groups entering the area (empty niche effect) and the uncontrolled continuation of the population cycle. Therefore, a feeding ban does not reduce the population; on the contrary, it makes it unbalanced and unpredictable.”
Stray Dogs Will Seek New Food Sources
Dr. Burcu Çevreli, Faculty Member, also stated that completely banning feeding points would lead to animals turning to garbage containers to search for new food sources, an increased risk of traffic accidents, and a rise in uncontrolled encounters with people. She remarked, “This does not offer an effective solution for public health, as it increases, rather than decreases, stray animal-human contact.”
What Are the Reasons for the Increase in Rodents and Pests?
Dr. Burcu Çevreli, Faculty Member, also stated that the increase in rodent (mice, rats) and pest (cockroaches, flies, ticks, etc.) populations in the streets is a well-known and scientifically explained situation in terms of urban ecology and public health. She said, “Among the main reasons for this increase are the degradation of habitats, construction activities, infrastructure excavations, and the reduction of wooded and green areas. Rodents and insects whose natural habitats are disturbed turn to residential areas to find food and shelter. Irregular spraying, incorrect chemical use, spraying only certain areas, open waste, irregularly collected organic waste, and lidless or broken trash cans can cause the pest population to decrease uncontrollably in one area while increasing in another.”
Instead of Eradicating the Population, It Must Be Managed Healthily
Dr. Burcu Çevreli, Faculty Member, pointed out that a decrease in the number of stray animals is anticipated as a result of feeding bans, and she continued:
“One of the situations that may arise when this occurs is an increased risk of zoonotic diseases, and the other is the emergence of the ecological vacuum effect. A decrease in cat populations in cities exponentially increases the number of rodents and pests. This seriously increases the risk of spreading zoonotic diseases. Stray dogs compete with rodents and suppress mouse populations in landfills and open areas. This situation can reduce rodent-borne zoonoses such as Leptospirosis and hantavirus. The complete elimination of dogs leads to an increase in mice and pests in waste (ecological vacuum effect). Instead of eradicating the population, managing it healthily minimizes environmental risks.”
All Animals Are Born Equal!
Dr. Burcu Çevreli, Faculty Member, stated that every individual in society is obliged to comply with legal obligations regarding the protection of animals. She concluded her words by saying, “All animals are born equal, and the right to live belongs to them as much as it does to everyone else. This right is protected by law and strengthened by conscience.”