Another man detained in Istanbul over violence against stray dog

ISTANBUL

A man in Istanbul was detained on June 17 after he was caught on a security camera kicking a stray dog, days after the horrible killing of a puppy caused outrage in Turkey.

According to Doğan News Agency, the man was spotted on the security camera footage of a residential building in the Kadıköy district. He was seen punching and kicking the stray dog that was lying on the floor near the entrance of the building.

Warning: The following video has graphic content that may be disturbing to some viewers.

A group of locals who live in the neighborhood identified the man as Şahin S. and notified the police.

After around 20 locals filed criminal complaints against the man, police detained the suspect, but he was released by paying a fine, according to Doğan News Agency.

“The dog is under our protection now and he is fine,” Stray Animals Society (SOHAYKO) chairman Yasin Yılmaz told the agency on June 17.

The latest incident came days after a puppy was found 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.

After the public outcry, the operator of a heavy duty vehicle working in the area was detained on June 16.

Turkish politicians also intervened, with several of them calling for more severe punishments in cases of violence against stray animals.