Law rejected by AKP becomes Erdoğan's electoral pledge

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The reverberations caused by the torturing to death of a puppy in Sakarya have found their

way into politics. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, saying, “Protecting animals is not just our
duty but a requirement of our faith. Animals are not property but living beings. We brought
out the first law on animal protection in 2004. In the new period, we will prioritise the
bringing into force of the government draft containing new sanctions in relation to animal
rights,” gave the green light for an animal protection law. However, it has emerged that bills
submitted by the CHP to protect street animals have been rejected by AKP MPs countless
times.

TWO YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT SOUGHT

Most recently, CHP Istanbul MP Sezgin Tanrıkulu raised acts of violence committed against
animals in parliament last April. Tanrıkulu sought the establishing of a commission to
investigate violence against animals and submitted a bill under which those committing
violence against animals would be sentenced to at least two years’ imprisonment.
Likewise, CHP Istanbul MP Mahmut Tanal submitted a bill under which those who commit
violence against and harm animals would be sentenced to jail terms. However, no bill relating
to animals has been adopted in the AKP period.

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