3 Suspects Released in Relation With Poisoning of Dogs in Ankara Released

* Photograph: Özge Elif Kızıl/AA

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After 16 dogs living in a park in the Neighborhood of Turgut Özal in Batıkent were poisoned to death in Ankara, three people were taken into custody yesterday (April 10). The suspects have been released pending trial today.

CLICK - 3 People Detained in Relation With Dogs Poisoned to Death

Suspects L.Ö., M.D. and A.G. were taken into custody by the police team that was formed by the Crime Investigation Department of the Yenimahalle District Security Directorate to investigate the allegations that stray dogs were poisoned to death in Batıkent.

After undergoing a medical examination at the Gazi Mustafa Kemal State Hospital, the suspects were referred to courthouse.

Being interrogated by the prosecutor at the courthouse, the suspects were referred to the penal judgeship of peace to be arrested on charge of "killing an owned animal." The suspects have been released pending trial.

The Prosecutor's Office, which referred the suspects to court to be arrested, objected to the verdict of release given by the court. The objection of the office will be examined by the Ankara 4th Penal Court of Peace.

Seven dogs are still receiving medical treatment in a clinic in Eryaman.

What happened?

At the night of April 10, 2019, 16 street dogs lost their lives after eating poisoned chickens left by people in a vehicle in the Neighborhood of Turgut Özal in Batıkent, Ankara. Some dogs that were also poisoned after eating the chickens were hospitalized.

After the neighborhood residents raised their concerns about the incident on social media, it caused backlash among several social media users.

Making a statement later in the night, Haydar Özkan, the Chair of the Confederation for the Protections of Animals' Rights (Haykonfed), announced that they filed a criminal complaint against the perpetrators.

The Ankara Bar Association also filed a criminal complaint regarding the incident. (AÖ/SD)