Turkey's stray dogs find homes abroad after new law to clear them off streets

Dog Deezi from an Istanbul shelter lies on the grass during a walk with its owners Caroline and Meike in Haarlem, Netherlands September 3, 2024. Animal rights activists have found a way to protect some of Turkey's 4 million street dogs, as the Turkish government introduced a new law that is expected to reduce their swollen ranks and promote people's safety, but that the activists say, will lead to many being put down. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Former Istanbul street dogs Dali and Deezi now live in the Netherlands, enjoying a pampered home life after years in a shelter in the Turkish city, and as other strays face being rounded up under a new law to clear them from the streets.

Turkey's parliament passed a law in July ordering the impounding of the country's estimated four million stray dogs, despite protests by animal lovers and the opposition, who fear it will lead to many being put down.