Kangal Dog Abandoned in Swiss Town; Animal Welfare Group Suspects Illegal Breeding
BASADINGEN,Switzerland – A Kangal dog was found abandoned in Basadingen,Thurgau,prompting the Steckborn Animal Welfare Association to file a criminal complaint,the group announced Tuesday. This is the fourth such case in the region in recent years, leading the association to suspect illegal breeding and systematic abandonment of the breed.
The dog, a female kangal now named Ella, was discovered April 15 by a passerby, according to Lisa Goldinger, veterinarian and president of the Steckborn Animal Welfare Association. The animal was taken to the Tiergarten dog shelter in Schaffhausen.
“This is no longer a coincidence,” Goldinger told 20 Minuten, a Swiss news outlet. “We assume illegal breeding and systematic suspension.”
Upon arrival at the shelter, Ella was found to be unchipped and unspayed, and suffering from a severe flea infestation and inflamed skin. “I haven’t seen such a strong flea infestation for a long time,” Goldinger said.
Veterinarians also believe Ella had previously been bred. Her enlarged teats and developed mammary glands suggest she has had puppies in the past, according to Goldinger.
The Steckborn Animal Welfare Association suspects the abandonment is part of a larger pattern. In recent years, three other Kangal dogs have been found in the same region exhibiting similar characteristics: unspayed/unneutered, without a microchip, suffering from massive flea infestations, and infected with diarrhea. These cases have occurred approximately every two years,always in the same area.
“The animals are apparently exposed systematically as soon as they are no longer needed,” Goldinger explained.
The animal protection association filed its criminal complaint with the Steckborn police, alleging violations of the Animal Welfare Act.”Anyone who exposes animals violates the Animal Welfare Act,” the association wrote in a Facebook post. “This is cruelty to animals. In addition, it is indeed also punishable who does not identify a dog.”
Thurgau cantonal police confirmed that they have recorded the association’s complaint. “The public prosecutor will decide on the scale,” a police spokesperson told 20 Minuten. “It is currently being investigated for cruelty to animals.”
Goldinger hopes the complaint will foster cooperation between authorities. “In such cases, the cooperation of all authorities is necesary,” she said.
Ella is currently recovering at the Tiergarten dog shelter. While her flea infestation prevents her from interacting with other dogs just yet, Goldinger says Ella is showing signs of advancement.Another Kangal already resides at the shelter, and the two seem to have taken a liking to each other, according to Goldinger.
Ella has as been microchipped,registered,and listed on the stmz.ch platform, a Swiss pet registry.
Authorities are asking anyone with details about Ella or her origin to contact the Diessenhofen police station or the Steckborn Animal Welfare Association.
kangal dogs are a Turkish breed known for their use as livestock guardians. They are large, powerful dogs with a protective instinct, requiring experienced owners and proper training.
