It turned out that the dog reported as ‘dead’ in the shelter was actually sleeping: ‘Despicable’.

Following allegations that a dog was mistreated and died due to neglect at the animal shelter in the Güzelbahçe district of Izmir, Güzelbahçe Mayor Mustafa Günay made a statement, saying, “The dog was filmed while sleeping and shared as ‘it died’. It’s a despicable act. Along with that dog, 16 other animals were adopted. Our shelter is recognized as exemplary in Turkey.”

Allegations of mistreatment and neglect of a dog at the Güzelbahçe Municipality Animal Shelter had been shared on social media. Following these claims, the Güzelbahçe Municipality opened the doors of the shelter to the press.

“Despicable. A sleeping dog was shared as ‘it died'”

Güzelbahçe Mayor Mustafa Günay denied the allegations, explaining that the sleeping dog was shared with the claim that it had ‘died’. Responding harshly to the allegations, Mayor Günay said, “It’s despicable. They couldn’t do anything; they finally started attacking voiceless, non-speaking living animals here. I condemn this and say it is a despicable act. The dog was completely filmed while sleeping and shared as ‘it died’. After this incident, a group came, visited our animal shelter, appreciated what was done, and adopted 16 of our animals here.”

“The Ministry conducted an unannounced inspection; our shelter is recognized as exemplary in Turkey”

Mayor Mustafa Günay also mentioned that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry conducted an unannounced inspection, stating, “Without our knowledge, the ministry came and inspected our shelter. In the latest report given by the ministry, our shelter was identified as an exemplary place among the animal shelters in Turkey. Now, we are building another one of the most hygienic, modern, and largest animal shelters in the Çamlı neighborhood. We show great care in this matter, but those who cannot stand it, those who wander behind us, came and secretly filmed the sleeping dog, claiming it was ‘dead’ and shared it on social media.”

“The dog had skin shedding due to old age and seasonal transition”

Güzelbahçe Municipality Health Affairs Director and Veterinarian Güzeli Öcek stated that the dog arrived at the shelter two weeks ago, had mange, and experienced skin shedding due to old age and seasonal changes. Güzeli Öcek explained that the dog shared on social media had been adopted, saying, “That dog was from Yelki neighborhood, 13 years old; in other words, it was a dog we have known for 13 years. Due to its old age, it had a mange problem in its legs. Following a complaint, we took it to the shelter for treatment. While here, there were also fur shedding due to seasonal changes. A video was taken of the dog with its shedding fur, leading people to think it was dead; they also misrepresented the olives on an olive tree as something else. After the sharing, they came to our shelter, checked, then thanked us and left. That dog was adopted. Along with it, 16 more lives were adopted.”