Shelter employee beating dog to death using shovel causes public outrage in Turkey
The brutal footage of a shelter employee reportedly beating a dog to death by using a shovel in Konya province has caused public outrage in Turkey. While the Municipality has launched an investigation, two people have been detained.
Duvar English
The footage of a shelter employee, affiliated to the Municipality, reportedly beating a dog to death by using a shovel in the Central Anatolian province of Konya has prompted outrage on social media on Nov. 25.
In the video that was spread on social media, an employee is seen beating a dog with a shovel in the Konya Metropolitan Municipality Stray Animal Shelter and Rehabilitation Center, then another employee drags the dog’s body.
Following the public outrage, the Konya Municipality has announced that they launched an investigation into the incident. The statement said they will file a criminal complaint after a detailed evaluation.
The shelter’s manager Nevzat D., as well as the shelter’s veterinarian, Seyit D., were suspended within the scope of the investigation, Demirören News Agency reported.
On the other hand, the Konya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that two people, M.B. and S.Ç., were detained due to the incident, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported.
“We examined the incident that shocked us all at night, we suspended those responsible, we filed a criminal complaint and the suspects were detained. We will follow the process in all its aspects with precision until the end,” Konya Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay said in a tweet.
Şefkat-Der Association head Hayrettin Bulan said he visited the shelter in question immediately after he saw the footage.
“Many nests do not have food. Animals are eating each other due to starvation. Municipal officers are inside right now and will probably hide the dead dogs. All this is being done by order of the Konya Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay,” Bulan said.
The footage stirred a huge reaction among public figures.
"I couldn't stand to watch the horrible footage. What kind of murder is this, and those who witnessed this murder are unscrupulous that they won't intervene. I'm ashamed of my humanity again. These criminals who torture animals should be held accountable," megastar Tarkan said.
"Unfortunately, shelters are places where animals are subjected to similar violence every day, if not all. Those who say that placing stray animals to shelters is the only solution should think again… While animals die under torture, nothing happens to their killers," famous actor Mert Fırat said.