Lefke environmentalists demand urgent action against the threat from stray dogs

The environmental and nature protection organization Lefke Çevre ve Ekoloji Derneği has once again appealed to the local authorities, demanding immediate measures to control the number of stray dogs. According to representatives of the organization, the situation has reached the level of a serious threat to the town’s residents, especially near schools and residential areas.

The organization’s chairman, Tamer Dayıoğlu, noted that repeated appeals to the Lefke municipality remain without result, and no concrete steps have been taken so far. He stressed that residents’ complaints are being ignored, although cases of stray dogs attacking adults and children are regularly recorded.

The situation near schools and on routes frequently used by students causes particular concern. According to Dayıoğlu, pedestrian movement is most intense in these areas, which makes the risk of encounters with aggressive animals especially high.

“Past events cannot be ignored,” he said, emphasizing the need for active measures to prevent new incidents. Among the proposed steps are capturing and controlling the stray dog population, ensuring the safety of school zones, and informing residents about the rules of conduct when encountering animals.

The organization warns that without intervention the problem will only worsen — both in terms of safety and public health. Lefke residents expect the municipal authorities to take urgent measures to minimize the threat and protect the most vulnerable groups of the population.