A landmark government-sponsored bill put forth in April seeks jail sentence for perpetrators who torture animals instead of a fine. The bill, which dissolves the lines between pets and stray animals, also propose animals 'are not property'.
NURAY BABACAN: ‘President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reportedly called on legislators to pass a bill on animal rights “as soon as possible.” Erdoğan voiced his concern over the long-delayed legislation at his ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) central executive committee meeting, an anonymous source has told Hürriyet. “Why is this bill still waiting [to be signed into law]? Pass this bill at once,” he reportedly told AKP officials. He stressed the public was furious over the news of animals being ill-treated and tortured. “Those who commit such atrocities are inhuman, heartless people,” Erdoğan said. The president also reportedly said the municipalities governed by the AKP should be warned to pay more attention to the matter. “The mayors must do whatever necessary regarding animal shelters and the protection of animals,” Erdoğan said…
A landmark government-sponsored bill put forth in April seeks jail sentence for perpetrators who torture animals instead of a fine — a topic which has widely been discussed in Turkey, with animal rights activists calling for a change for decades. Those who dare to torture animals will receive four months to four and a half years in prison, according to the new bill. The bill proposes up to 4.5 years of jail sentence if the perpetrator tortures more than one animal. If the perpetrator violates the freedoms of multiple animals in the same instance, his or her sentence will be increased by one-and-a-half times, rising from six months to four-and-a-half years in jail, according to the draft. In the event of the murder of an endangered species, the culprit will be sentenced up to seven years in jail. The bill, which dissolves the lines between pets and stray animals, also propose animals “are not property”.’ SOURCE…
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