Turkish Animal Rights Law in the Making
The law, which treats animals as "living beings" rather than "commodities", aims to put an end to the cruelty and torture to which animals are subjected.
In the coming days, a long-awaited animal rights bill will be submitted to the Turkish parliament, calling for prison sentences for anyone who kills, abuses, or tortures animals.
The final draft of the bill was submitted to the ruling Justice and Development Party (President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AKP) on 8 June 2021, and is set to come into force on 1 July 2021.
With the goal of curbing instances of violence against animals, some of which have even made headlines in recent years, the anticipated law will define animals as «living beings» rather than as “commodities“.
as under current law. The new law, which is intended to reflect the requirements of contemporary values, citizens, and NGOs, will first involve a change of name. It is planned to rename the existing «Animal Protection Act» as «Animal Rights Act». A specially trained animal police force is also set to be deployed.
Should the law be passed, the prison sentence for crimes against animals will range from six months to four years — long enough to effectively block any possibility of releasing a person on bail or converting the custodial sentence into a fine.
In addition to the custodial sentence for sexual abuse of animals, a judicial penalty of at least 100 days will be imposed.
Furthermore, the burning of wetlands considered to be wildlife habitats, or their destruction, can be punished severely.
Prosecutors may open an investigation of their own motion, without a written application or complaint, if a person is caught “in the act” when committing crimes against animals.
Currently, every crime against animals is punished with mild fines, and courts have handed down excessively lenient sentences in some particularly brutal cases.
If a pet is abandoned on the street by its owner, the draft law could impose a fine of up to 2,000 Turkish lira ($232), according to Hurriyetdailynews.
In addition, the law mandates the sterilization of all stray animals within three years, with municipalities tasked with this responsibility, including the establishment of animal shelters, the provision of rehabilitation services, and the administration of vaccinations. Practices such as euthanizing animals living on the streets will be discontinued.
Pets will also be microchipped to enable proper identification.
The ownership, import, purchase, sale, advertising, exchange, or gifting of dangerous dog breeds and crossbreeds such as Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro is prohibited.
Owners of dangerous breed animals may care for their existing pets until the animal's death, provided the animal is registered and sterilized.
These breeds are not permitted to run off-leash and must wear a muzzle. Furthermore, they will be prohibited from entering places such as parks and gardens where children are present, if complaints are filed with the animal police.
In addition, the sale of animals in pet shops will be discontinued. Significant restrictions also apply to laboratory animals.
