Dogs have been a prominent part of Turkish culture for centuries. But this year, Turkey’s stray dogs have become a contentious political issue. The country’s Parliament passed a law this week requiring municipalities to round up stray dogs and put them into shelters, and permitting aggressive or ill animals to be euthanized. But critics have expressed fears that the law may be used to target political opponents of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose ruling party pushed through the legislation. Some are also concerned about inadequate, overcrowded shelters for the country’s stray dog population — estimated to be around four million.

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Persons: Shepherd, Boji, Recep Tayyip Erdogan