Mass Killing of Dogs and Cats Reported in Turkmenistan’s Ahal Region

Mass Killing of Dogs and Cats Reported in Turkmenistan’s Ahal Region A large-scale campaign to capture and kill stray animals—and, according to local residents, even household pets—is reportedly underway in Turkmenistan’s Ahal Region. The information was published by Azatlyk Radiosy, citing its correspondents and eyewitnesses. According to local residents, municipal workers, together with public utility employees, are patrolling streets, markets, and areas near garbage collection sites. Witnesses claim that animals are being beaten to death with metal rods. They also report that not only stray animals but also owned pets that wander outside their yards are being killed. Residents say that animals are lured with food before being brutally killed. According to eyewitnesses, these acts often take place in public, including in front of children, causing shock and psychological distress. According to Azatlyk’s sources, people who attempt to film the incidents or speak out against them allegedly face intimidation. Some residents claim that officials inspected their mobile phones, deleted video recordings, and viewed private messages. Separate sources also reported that firearms are allegedly being used to kill dogs in the city of Tejen. According to these accounts, the animals' bodies are then collected in special vehicles and burned. Sources interviewed by the outlet further claim that municipal workers receive financial rewards for each animal killed. According to these reports, the payment is 10 manats for each dog and 5 manats for each cat. Local residents have expressed concern about the situation, saying they are afraid to criticize these actions publicly due to possible repercussions. Some believe that instead of conducting mass killings of animals, the authorities should focus on addressing other public sanitation issues, including controlling rodents and insects. The Turkmen authorities have not officially commented on the reported information. The claims published by Azatlyk cannot currently be independently verified. Source: Azatlyk Radiosy https://www.azathabar.com/a/ahal-welayatynda-it-pisikleri-yok-etmek-careleri-gecirilyar/33810469.html