Vor einiger Zeit riefen verschiedene Tierschutzorganisationen zu einer Online-Petition auf, in der es darum ging, die Türkei auf ihre Verantwortung Straßenhunden gegenüber aufmerksam zu machen.

Insbesondere die Strategie, Streunertiere auszusetzen, löste massives Unverständnis aus, ebenso die Problematik der Hundekämpfe etc …

Nun hat Herr Ertuğrul Günay, seines Zeichens Kultur- und Tourismus-Minister auf den Protest reagiert. Natürlich handelt es sich dabei um ein Standardschreiben, dennoch möchten wir es hier veröffentlichen und ihn an seine Worte erinnern:

I am very much saddened by your e-mail, and felt obligated to reply you in person.

I cannot justify the cruelty against animals or against any form of life. Nor I could ask for forgiveness.

Nothing could be more sacred than life itself.

I am deeply sorrowed.

We, proud humans, do always talk about harmonizing with the nature, build environmental management systems and certify, pretend to be a part of the ecology. But still, we cannot slow down the “most advanced living” on earth, us, savaging on life. Life in all forms.

Dog-fights, bull- fights, animal testings, factory farming… The list never ends. Just within the last decade, millions of fowl and cattle were terminated by human hands.

Yet, all this is not enough for inhumanity. Human lives, even in the middle of Europe, are being taken methodically, in front of our eyes. Civilians, are killed remotely, with the “state- of- the – art” machinery, before they even know they were dying.

I remember a news broadcast, in which the overjoyed reporter was telling about the newly developed missile that could penetrate into deep underground shelters. Elaborate methods of taking lives even in refuge !

This hurts. This must hurt.

It does not matter, whether we are a part of the “civilized world” and “authorized to criticize” or walking among the “contemptible people” of developing countries, we must stand against the organized reproduction of death. Defend life against inhumanity, without making selections, without taking preferences or making excuses…

Unconditionally.

We have been sharing our house with them for over 20 years. We had named them Yodi, Miscia and Marcvs. But all these names diminish in time; they become our “son”, “daughter” or even “sister” instead. I know the affectionate but helpless look in their lucid eyes. The happiness they add to our lives. And how something breaks in you, when they fly away.

So I am, once again, wounded by the pictures, which have drawn you to sending an e-mail.

Albeit displayed as concentration camps on the web, these dog-shelters in question have been first established by the animal-lovers” initiative, with the help of local municipalities. My own son, was among the many who were carrying food to these shelters. But unfortunately, the number of four- legged guests in the shelters , has been increasing geometrically, making it almost impossible to give them proper space and care in the cities.

We , animal – lovers are very responsible for this increase, too. Neutering is not a very common practice in our country. Resulting number of puppies and kittens, are more than we can ever look after.

As a Minister, I am not directly connected with these severe , hurting happenings , but as a person, as someone who has felt the heartbeats of these babies on his fingertips, I take my share from the blame.

I will try my best to raise funds for these animal shelters, and warn those responsible to avoid such sad events.

I would like to thank you for sharing your doubts with us. Now, we need your support, to create a better environment for our friends. Your corroboration will definitely encourage the volunteers working in these shelters.

Respectfully yours,

Ertuğrul GÜNAY

Minister of Culture and Tourism

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