A Place Called Home
For every one of us, there is a special place called “home”. An almost sacred place. For the stray dogs of Altinkum, that “home” was the Altinkum beach in Didim.
It is not an ideal home for a dog granted – but it was a home of sorts for them. A place they could call home.
That is until recently when the local authorities of Didim decided that the strays could no longer make it home there. In their view, the strays had to go.
And where did they go? It is with great despair that we can confirm at least three of them were dumped in an area of Didim known as Seyrantepe.
And here is Seyrantepe for you ladies and gentlemen… A no man’s land. A perfect place for stray dogs to die of starvation… Not even a drop of food to find…
The three dogs were spotted by a local animal rights volunteer who knew all three of them from the Altinkum beach. They were running around like crazy, presumably trying to find their way back home to the Altinkum beach.
We seek justice for these dogs immediately. We want them returned to the Altinkum beach right this minute. It is their home, nobody can take it away from them.
Write to the heartless authorities of Didim right now and tell them to return our dogs to their home:
iletisim@didim.gov.tr, didimbelediyesi@yahoo.com, aydin@icisleri.gov.tr
The mayor of Didim is directly responsible under the law for the welfare of the stray dogs in his jurisdiction. Call his direct line to remind him of his responsibilities which he apparently forgot about:
Mayor Mumin Kamaci Office: +90 256 811 25 60
Mayor Mumin Kamaci Cell Phone: +90 0506 600 13 13
Bring the dogs ” home ” NOW !
DAVID
August 4, 2008 at 7:46 pm
god help them poor animals I hope they find thier way home those bastards that dumped them have hearts like swinging bricks I,d like to dump them put them in a boat and dump them out to sea and sink it God never sleeps so thier turn will come he will punish them for what they have done these dogs don,t deserve that come on all you people in Didim GET OUT AND LOOK FOR YOUR DOGS AND FETCH THEM HOME WHERE THEY BE LONG don,t let Didim be known as a place where they massacre animals you know and I know it is not like that it is home to those dogs stand up for what is rightand vote those bastards that call themselves officials out this is wrong and must not continue the Tourists WANT THIS NO ALTINKUM WE DON,T WANT IT WE WANT THE DOGS BACK WHERE THEY BELONG IN ALTINKUM
Bev Hill
August 4, 2008 at 7:55 pm
If there is a God , Then those responsible for doing this to these much loved dogs had better start praying, Because no matter what your religion – it is wrong to kill, Whether you do it with your own hands or by your own actions the consequenses are the same – you cause death ! Do you think these people who took the dogs care – no ! They are heartless excuses for human beings, But they can redeem themselves, go and bring these dogs back, Do it under cover of darkness if you wish, just as you did when you took them.
They say ” home is where the heart is ” Well these dogs have hearts thats for sure as all they are now trying to do is to get home, To Didim.
If anyone sees them , take pictures , get proof,
We are all praying together that the dogs are still alive, although hope is fading each day that they are out there in terrible heat with no food, no water,
How can these people responsible sleep at night ?
A.Sims
August 4, 2008 at 9:31 pm
The time will come when the people responsible for this will face justice, but for now they will have to live with the dubious honor of joining Turkeys never-ending parade of criminal government officials.
Matt Murdock
August 5, 2008 at 6:48 am
Deeply sad, and very disturbing, this is not the actions of a caring authority…..
what they have done is illegal, and makes a farce of their own goverment.
To go out at nighttime, whilst dark, and most are asleep, and take these dogs – speaks volumes.
This is animal abuse –
I hope the britsh press publish this story, as it is the brits who pour money into the tourist industry – i would call for all holiday makers to make a stand, and refuse to travel to turkey until action is taken.
Gillian Robinson
August 5, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Thisis my friendly warning to the murderers in Turkey to stand down now and stop taking innocent dogs from their homes on the street!Thats right their homes!Its is their homes and they choose to live their.If u have a problem with it poisen ursel or move to the mountains. God gave them the right to choose were they want to live just like all humans and if u dont like it call him, dont take action in your own hands for that task is only GODS and if u interfere in his work then u will be punished,maybe not here on earth but just as great as god is to is kids and just as much kindness u can recieve from him, DONT PISS HIM OFF, for his fury is much feared and he will make u regret your every wrong doing actions to his beloved dogs on this planet!Id start begging for forgiveness now if u dont want to burn for the rest of ur lives…………….Dont take our messages llightly, otherwise we will have to up our standerds by taking this to our countries press and believe me we are not school kids!We have connections and will use them!
Michelle Jansen van Vuuren
August 6, 2008 at 6:23 am
This is appalling and outrageous. Those responsible should be ashamed. These dogs have a right to live. One way or another, justice will ultimately be done. In the meantime the caring people of Didim and those of us who support them will do everything possible to get evidence and to publicise these horrors.
Marcia Crow
August 7, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Had an email this morning more dogs have gone missing come on you turkish people where is your sense of pride show the world that Didim is a caring town and the people of Turkey want thier dogs back this is thier home and I always thought that Didim was a caring loving place these officials are telling you the people of Turkey that the TOURISTS want this what a load of rubbish we want the dogs back where they belong not left in remote places to starve and die of thirst the world is watching and waiting now Altinkum what are you going to do the tourists are your livelyhood i know me my family and friends love Turkey but whilst this barbaric cruelty is going on I will not support a country that does this to thier animals and Yes the world does know there is already petitions emails boycotting going on tell your Mayors to stop this go out look for your dogs and cats and fetch them home it is your place go and show the mayor that tourists and the people of Didim don,t want this support your local dog shelter give people the facts this is happening early hours of the morning you must be seeing it somewhere get this stopped now this is your place and your livlelyhood if the tourists don,t come what will happen then go on Didim show you care and they will have to listen to you and the world don,t let Didim or Turkey be known as the killing fields for animals get out there and show the world that you are not prepared to take this lying down
Bev Hill
August 10, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Please bring the dogs home & let them live in peace. Stop the cruelty NOW!
Julie
August 11, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Universal Declaration of Animal Rights
Preamble:
- Considering that Life is one, all living beings having a common origin and having diversified in the course of the evolution of the species, – Considering that all living beings possess natural rights, and that any animal with a nervous system has specific rights,
- Considering that the contempt for, and even the simple ignorance of, these natural rights, cause serious damage to Nature and lead men to commit crimes against animals,
- Considering that the coexistence of species implies a recognition by the human species of the right of other animal species to live,
- Considering that the respect of animals by humans is inseparable from the respect of men for each other.
It is hereby proclaimed that :
Article 1
All animals have equal rights to exist within the context of biological equilibrium. This equality of rights does not overshadow the diversity of species and of individuals.
Article 2
All animal life has the right to be respected.
Article 3
A- Animals must not be subjected to bad treatments or to cruel acts.
B- If it is necessary to kill an animal, it must be instantaneous, painless and cause no apprehension.
C- A dead animal must be treated with decency.
Article 4
A- Wild animals have the right to live and to reproduce in freedom in their own natural environment.
B- The prolonged deprivation of the freedom of wild animals, hunting and fishing practised as a pastime, as well as any use of wild animals for reasons that are not vital, are contrary to this fundamental right.
Article 5
A- Any animal which is dependent on man has the right to proper sustenance and care.
B- It must under no circumstances be abandoned or killed unjustifiably.
C- All forms of breeding and uses of the animal must respect the physiology and behaviour specific to the species.
D- Exhibitions, shows and films involving animals must also respect their dignity and must not include any violence whatsoever.
Article 6
A- Experiments on animals entailing physical or psychological suffering violate the rights of animals.
B-Replacement methods must be developed and systematically implemented.
Article 7
Any act unnecessary involving the death of an animal, and any decision leading to such an act, constitute a crime against life.
Article 8
A- Any act compromising the survival of a wild species and any decision leading to such an act are tantamount to genocide, that is to say, a crime against the species.
B- The massacre of wild animals, and the pollution and destruction of biotopes are acts of genocide.
Article 9
A- The specific legal status of animals and their rights must be recognised by law.
B- The protection and safety of animals must be represented at the level of Governmental organizations.
Article 10
Educational and schooling authorities must ensure that citizens learn from childhood to observe, understand and respect animals.
The Universal Declaration of Animal Rights was solemnly proclaimed in Paris on 15 October 1978 at the UNESCO headquarters.
The text, revised by the International League of Animal Rights in 1989, was submitted to the UNESCO
Neesan
August 21, 2008 at 6:29 pm