21.01.2026 23:14
An investigation has been launched regarding the images shared on social media, claiming that dogs left hungry and thirsty in the shelter belonging to the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality are tearing each other apart.
It was claimed that dozens of dogs left hungry and thirsty in the shelter of the Natural Life Area belonging to the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality tore each other apart. The allegations in question came to the fore today with images shared on social media. While the incident caused a great reaction, it was stated that dozens of dead dogs were secretly buried in a plot of land in the village.
"AN INVESTIGATION REGARDING THE IMAGES IS UNDERWAY" In a statement made by the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality regarding the issue, it was stated, "We have examined the images circulated regarding an incident that allegedly occurred in our Natural Life Area. The investigation we have initiated regarding the deeply upsetting images is ongoing. As the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality, we will investigate the images that are completely incompatible with our understanding of animal rights, the right to life, and ethical responsibility in all aspects and clarify the incident. Protecting the right to life of animals and providing them with a safe and healthy environment is our most fundamental responsibility. In line with this responsibility, we will carry out all administrative and legal processes transparently and inform the public about the results," it was said.
AK PARTY PROVINCIAL CHAIRMAN ALBAYRAK: "WE WILL FOLLOW THIS PROCESS UNTIL THE END" AK Party Provincial Chairman Gürhan Albayrak, who came to the front of the mentioned shelter and made a press statement regarding the incident, said, "When we allocated this area to the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality, we wanted it to be a symbol of compassion, responsibility, and a culture of living together, not just a place where animals are gathered. Animals were entrusted here to live with love, but at the point we have reached today, we are faced with images of animals that have to attack each other out of hunger; this picture is not only a painful sight but also a document of serious negligence and an open management failure. When '2026 Eskişehir Year' was announced and posters were hung, we had hoped that projects would be discussed on behalf of the city for the first time, but unfortunately, we see that with this course, 2026 will be a year of scandals, not projects, for Eskişehir. We thought 2026 would be the Year of Eskişehir, and that animals would not be forgotten, but we were wrong. On the other hand, while advertisements constantly calling for donations for animals are published on billboards throughout the city, we openly ask how much donation has been collected so far, how these donations have been spent, and how we have come to a point where not even food can be provided to the animals despite all the donations collected. This issue cannot be brushed aside with a few sentences of 'investigation' statements; we will follow this process until the responsible parties are revealed and the necessary administrative and legal actions are taken," he stated.
"WE WANT THEM TO ALLOCATE THIS AREA TO US" In addition to Chairman Albayrak, animal lovers also came to the front of the shelter. Animal lovers who took images from the shelter expressed their reactions and thoughts about the incident to Chairman Albayrak.
Following Albayrak, animal rights advocate Nesrin Çiçek, who appeared before the cameras, said: "We started with people who are deficient in rural feeding and do not know how to neuter. When you come here, you will see that there are not enough kennels for nearly 150 animals. If we are leaving animals out in the open while experiencing the harshest winter, it is a shame for everyone in Turkey who has a political identity. We want them to allocate this area to us. We are both the owners and the custodians of these animals."