Urgent Measures Demanded in Lefke Due to Stray Dog Attacks

Lefke Environmental and Ecology Association issued a statement drawing attention to the increasing number of stray dog attacks, which are causing human injuries, significant material losses, and damage to wildlife.

According to the association’s deputy chairman, Associate Professor Hüseyin Mahmutoğlu, in the Yeni İskele–Aygün area, stray dogs have repeatedly attacked farms. As a result of the attacks, livestock were killed, and the total damage is estimated at tens of thousands of lira.

He also recalled that previously in the same area, a resident suffered a serious injury — a hip fracture — following a pack of dog attacks and has been hospitalized for more than 11 days.

Besides the threat to people and farms, ecologists emphasize the negative impact on nature: stray dogs attack rabbits, partridges, and other representatives of local fauna, disrupting the natural balance.

The organization stated that the problem cannot be viewed solely as an animal protection issue. It concerns citizen safety, the rights of producers, and the preservation of the ecosystem. According to them, the absence of systematic and effective measures from responsible authorities only exacerbates the situation.

The environmental organization urged authorities to:

• immediately launch a controlled and planned stray animal management system;
• ensure the protection of citizens’ and farmers’ lives and property;
• implement scientifically-based and sustainable solutions;
• promptly fulfill the duties assigned to the relevant institutions.

Lefke Environmental and Ecology Association stated that they will continue to monitor the development of the situation.