Anger swells over new attacks on kittens in Turkey

ISTANBUL

The cat’s life could not be saved and the the 50-year-old suspect has been arrested

Fatal assaults targeting two kittens have shaken Turkey, days after politicians voiced support for a new law to prevent violence against stray animals following the horrific killing of a puppy in the west of the country.

A 50-year-old suspect was arrested on June 20 in Istanbul’s Eyüp district after he was caught raping a three-month-old kitten, according to local media reports.

The suspect told the court that he “has been an alcoholic for the past 40 years and he doesn’t remember anything,” but the judge remanded him in custody, citing blood stains on his shirt and trousers.

Despite medical intervention after the incident, the cat’s life could not be saved.

A second horrific case also hit Turkish news outlets on the afternoon of June 20, in which a cat was found in the western city of Bursa’s Yıldırım district with four of its feet cut off.

Police have launched an investigation after public outcry on social media.

The incidents come after a puppy was found on June 13 by passersby in a wooded area in the Sapanca district of the western province of Sakarya, fighting for its life as four of its feet had been cut off.

Locals hospitalized the dog, which succumbed to its injuries two days later despite an emergency operation in Istanbul.

The operator of a heavy duty vehicle working in the area was arrested on June 17 on charges of killing the dog.

Amid the outcry, a number of high-ranking politicians, including President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, vowed to boost animal protection laws in the country.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) even announced that an animal rights bill would be the top priority after the June 24 elections if it is re-elected.