Soldier Torturing Kitten Detained

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In the wake of images of a soldier torturing a kitten at Erzican Officer’s Club spreading on the social media, Governorship, Ministry of Interior Affairs and the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) have issued a statement concerning the incident.

It was stated that perpetrator of the torture is T.H., who was on mandatory military service and had three days left for the service to end.

Detained upon denunciations, T.H. was claimed to have consumed alcohol above legal limits.

Minister of Interior Soylu: I’m on it

Minister of Interior Affairs Süleyman Soylu made a statement concerning the incident on Twitter.

Sharing the message “I’ll have it scrutinized. I’m on it” as to the video, Soylu later said, “Administrative and judicial investigation has been launched. Erzican Governor will issue a statement in a little while”.

Governor Arslantaş: He returned from leave drunk

Erzincan Governor Ali Arslantaş issued a written statement about the incident:

“It was determined in the inspection that the perpetrator is private T.H. who is doing his mandatory military service in Erzican Regiment of Communications.

“It is understood that three days were left for his discharge and returned from his leave with 221-promil alcohol in his blood.

“Administrative and judicial legal steps have been initiated against the perpetrator of the incident that has caused public indignation”.

TAF: Investigation has been launched

Following statement was made by the General Staff:

“An investigation has been launched into the incident that occurred at Erzican Officer’s House on December 3, 2017”.

Highest fine is 117 Euros

The highest fine imposed on the people who rape, ill-treat and torture stray animals is 546 TL (117 Euros).

Struggle for animal rights in parliament since 2011

“Law Draft on Amendment in Animal Protection Law” on which all parties reached consensus was signed by then Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and was sent to the Parliamentary Speaker’s Office.

The draft was debated in public in 2012 and 2014. The draft has been pending since 2014.

CHP MP Umut Oran had submitted a draft for amendment to be made in Animal Protection Law but upon negative reactions by animal rights advocates, he revised the draft and submitted the revised version to parliament with İstanbul MP Melda Onur.

CHP İstanbul MP Gürsel Tekin had submitted a law draft for willful and reckless homicide of animals to be considered within the scope of Turkish Penal Code in August 2017. (EKN/TK)