Animal rights activists stage protest at camel wrestling event in Fethiye

MUĞLA – Doğan news agency

HAYDOST members unfurled a banner which read: “According to our religion, animal fighting is forbidden, wrong and sinful. So what is this savagery here?” AA Photo

Unrest broke out at a camel wrestling event on Feb. 2 in the Mediterranean province of Muğla’s Fethiye district, when the head of the Friends of Animals Association (HAYDOST) and two members staged a protest against animal abuse.

HAYDOST head Türkan Dağdelen and two members of British origin unfurled a banner reading: “According to our religion, animal fighting is forbidden, wrong and sinful. So what is this savagery here?”
Some officials from the wrestling organization warned them to pull down the banner. A quarrel erupted when HAYDOST members resisted and it turned into a scuffle when other people attending the organization became involved. The banner was split apart and Dağdelen fell during the unrest. 

Police intervened in the incident and dispersed the sides. Dağdelen was taken to Fethiye police station and released after being questioned. 

“We are against not only camel wrestling but also all kinds of animal fights. This is inhumane,” Dadelen said. “We unfurled a banner in reaction to the camel wrestling event in Fethiye. After I took a few steps someone who told he was the head of an association, came and wanted to talk to me. Then he provoked the people around against me.” 

Dağdelen said the camels were made to drink alcohol so they became more aggressive.