A research on the perspective of the people of Afyonkarahisar on stray dogs as a social problem

This study aims to measure whether the issue of stray dogs, which has been on the agenda frequently lately, is seen as a problem. While one group argues that the streets are their living space, they should not be interfered with, and even that they should be given what they deserve, another group states that they pose a risk on the streets due to possible dangers. In this context, it will be understood whether stray dogs are really seen as a problem. People have interacted with animals throughout history; because stray dogs have been a part of daily life and have assumed various functions. Animals have sometimes taken on the role of protectors, sometimes as clothing, and sometimes as mythological characters. People have increased the survival chances of stray animals by feeding them. However, over time, people's relationships with animals have changed. Problems such as shantytowns, environmental pollution, lack of shelter, increasing population and the needs of this population, which have emerged with urbanization, have not only affected the lives of people in the city, but have also shaken the balance of the animal-human relationship. While street animals were considered a natural part of the city in Turkish society until the 19th century, with the acceleration of urbanization and the decrease in natural resources, the living spaces of street animals have been threatened by problems such as hunger and epidemics. On the other hand, it can be said that the living conditions of street animals, especially street dogs, have narrowed and therefore they cannot live in suitable conditions. The research was limited to the city center of Afyonkarahisar; 509 participants were reached with the quantitative method, survey technique and random sampling. The findings obtained show that the participants perceived street dogs as a problem. The importance of this study is that it allows the discussion of the issue of street animals and especially street dogs. Indeed, the research conducted in this area is quite limited. Keywords: Human-animal relationship, stray animal, stray dogs, urban problems