Do stray dogs in Turkey have rabies (why do they have ear tags)?
No, stray dogs in Turkey do not automatically have rabies. Most of the dogs you see in busy streets, parks and tourist areas are accustomed to people, and many are regularly fed and cared for by local residents or municipalities. However, rabies does exist in Turkey, so you should still avoid touching unfamiliar dogs, especially if they appear aggressive, sick, confused or unusually friendly. The numbered tag on a dog’s ear usually means that a municipality has registered and treated the animal. In many municipalities, tagged dogs have been examined, neutered, vaccinated against rabies, microchipped and then returned to their area Still, an ear tag should not be treated as a guarantee that the dog’s rabies vaccination is currently valid. If you are bitten or scratched, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes and go to a hospital as soon as possible. Do not wait for symptoms or assume that the dog is safe because it has a tag. Turkey’s Ministry of Health advises seeking medical care promptly after a possible rabies exposure.