Dog 'taken into custody' upon neighbor’s complaint

ISTANBUL

After spending hours chained at the police post, Tarçın was eventually sent to a rehabilitation center despite his owner’s testimony. DHA Photo

Police have taken a dog into custody following complaints from a neighbor, a prosecutor, who was apparently “disturbed” by the golden retriever and claimed it was aggressive and dangerous.

The owner, Buğra Demirçelik, said the police came at night to take his dog away last week from the apartment in the coastal Marmara town of Gemlik, where he lives with his mother. Once at the police station, they explained to him that they received orders from high ranking officials, he added.

“When I came home from work, my neighbor, who is a prosecutor, was waiting for me in front of the elevator. He told me that he would file a complaint and kick my dog out. Then police came and took him without being accompanied by a veterinarian,” he said.

According to his owner, Tarçın – or “Cinnamon” – has never attacked anyone and had even received training.

“My dog’s vaccines and education are complete. My dog was taken away unlawfully. I will take legal action,” Demirçelik said.

After spending hours chained at the police post, Tarçın was eventually sent to a rehabilitation center despite his owner’s testimony.

Meanwhile, representatives of the Animal Rights Federation said a dog with an owner cannot be taken away without the latter’s consent unless by a prosecutor’s instruction upon a complaint from the municipality.