Suspects of torturing dog to death released in first hearing

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In the case where health technician Murat Bacak (29-7) accused of hitting a dog with a shovel to death in the Animal Rehabilitation Center of Konya Metropolitan Municipality, and Sefa Çakmak (28) who pulled the dog away, are standing trial, both suspects were released in the first trial.

The second trial will be held on January 20, 2023.

Murat Bacak claimed at the court that the dog attacked him and told the court, "The dog bit two of our friends before this event. I hit the dog once before the video. It cannot be seen when the beginning is not in the video. I choose to study at the veterinary high school because I love animals."

In the indictment prepared by the Konya prosecutor's office, it was stated that the dog was not attacking anyone in the 11-second video showing the torturing,

What happened?

The video showing the health technician Murat Bacak hitting a dog with a shovel to death and of Sefa Çakmak pulling the dead dog away was posted on social media on November 24.

Images of the battering quickly spread across the internet, with the hashtag #Konyadakatliamvar (There is a Massacre in Konya) being tweeted over 70,000 times in 12 hours.

Animal rights activists from Ankara and other parts of the country went to Konya on November 25.

In the investigation started by the Konya prosecutor's office, first, the facility manager was suspended from duty, and later on November 26, the two personnel of the center were detained.

According to the article of the Animal Rights Law that says "When the crime is committed by a veterinarian, veterinary health technician, animal protection volunteer, members of animal protection associations or foundations or those appointed to care for or protect the animals, the punishments are increased by half," the indictment requested 6-year imprisonment for both suspects. (TY/PE)