ANKARA — The Turkish Parliament on Wednesday kicked off debate on the controversial draft law to tackle the county’s stray dog problem as animal rights activists organized demonstrations in Turkey, claiming that it would lead to the mass cullings of stray dogs. 

People have been gathering in major metropolises, including Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir — and even in Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s hometown of Rize — as well as dozens of other cities, calling on the government to withdraw the bill. Dozens of people protested outside of the parliament as the debate began on Wednesday, holding signs that read, “Neuter, vaccinate, and keep alive,” “Withdraw the legislation” and “No to the massacre.” 

The debate inside the parliament kicked off with tense discussions between ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and opposition lawmakers. While AKP members displayed the images of children who were killed or injured in stray dog attacks, opposition lawmakers protested the committee’s denying animal rights activists entrance to the room where the debate took place.