Driver fined 1,097 Turkish Liras for hitting and killing stray dog, license suspended

ANTALYA – Doğan News Agency

A man who deliberately ran over stray dogs killing one in the Mediterranean province of Antalya has been issued an administrative fine of 1,097 Turkish Liras, while his driver’s license was suspended.

The incident in the Kepez district on July 17 was caught on security cameras. In the footage, 39-year-old Erhan Kozan is seen driving his light commercial vehicle at the dogs on the side of the road. 

A dog avoids being hit by running away, but another dog started chasing the vehicle. 

Upon noticing this, Kozan steers right to run over the dog.

The dog died at the scene with his head trapped under the front right wheel and the driver fled the area without stopping.

Kozan was detained after the security camera footage was published in the media but released after bearing his testimony.

The “Candost Foundation” which is one of the animal rights organizations in Antalya, filed a complaint against Kozan to the Antalya Governor’s Office and the provincial directorate of Food, Agriculture, and Livestock Ministry demanding administrative action on behalf of law no. 5199 on animal rights.

Kozan was fined 1,097 liras following the complaint. 

Antalya Police said in a written statement on Aug. 15 that Kozan’s driver’s license was suspended “until the driver gets a medical report indicating that he is mentally stable to drive.”