Singer from Hinds Posts a Video of a Dog Following Her on the Streets of Turkey, Sparks Debate on If She Should've Rescued the Dog

Abandoned dogs in the U.S. get an entirely different treatment than many places around the world. When someone in the U.S. finds a dog or cat alone on the streets, there are shelters and rescues that they can be taken too—many Americans end up adopting their new found friend themselves. Whereas, some countries are cruel to their stray animals, and treat them as if they were vermin. However, there is a third way, like in Turkey, where they have laws protecting their stray animals and helps them to stay safe as they roam free—as if they were beloved nomadic citizens of their country. 

Ana Perrote, guitarist and singer for popular Madrid-based indie band Hinds, was visiting Turkey with her partner. While they were at a cafe, a lone dog approached them and sweetly demanded pets. After they obliged and left the cafe, they noticed the dog was following them. 

The two spent the day exploring the streets of Istanbul with their new dog friend, but at the end of the day, they parted ways. Perrote says in responses to the video's commenters that she can't stop thinking about the baby girl and would've tried to adopted her if it wasn't for the collar around her neck. Collars are usually indications that the dog already has an owner—however, many of her viewers are upset, saying that the collar doesn't mean anything, and in fact, the dog could've been abandoned. 

Viewers are at about a 50/50 split on Perrote's decision of leaving the sweet girl behind. Some explain potential reasons why that dog could've still needed a home even with a collar: One commenter says the locals put them on dogs so the government doesn't round them up to take them to kill shelters. While another says there's a local organization that puts collars on the ones they've vaccinated and spayed or neutered, but that they are still stray dogs. These commenters are upset she left the dog behind and homeless, and can't believe she just left her.

However, other commenters agree with her choice of parting ways. A commenter from Istanbul posted that many families let their dogs roam the streets free all day and that they find their way back home for dinner and never get lost. Another said that Istanbul has a very large stray dog community, but that the locals take very good care of them and put the collars on them to keep them from getting taken by someone. They add that if you meet a street dog there, that usually you can find the locals that care for them and ask about adopting one. 

Perrote already has a dog of her own back home in Spain and adopting a dog from another country is usually a long and complicated process. So you can't blame her for the choice she made. Turkey also also has strict laws protecting their stray animals.The city of Istanbul even has its own program for the protection and overseeing of the stray dogs and cats that roam the city. They're usually provided with food and water and basic wellness, such as vaccines and spay and neuter services, and even emergency and advanced care for injured animals. 

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