Turkey to introduce prison sentences for cruelty to animals

İZMİR – Anadolu Agency

The penalty for killing animals will be increased to two years in prison.

The penalty for killing animals through torture will be increased to two years in jail with a new legal amendment.

Previously, the law on the protection of animals only stipulated fines, but animal rights activists have long demanded prison terms be introduced for those found guilty of such crimes.

The new draft law is set to be discussed at the Parliamentary Environment Commission.

The fines for 21 other crimes against animals have also been increased. The highest possible fine is 15,226 Turkish Liras and is given for “any action that causes the extinction of a species.” The lowest fine is 89 liras for “those who fail to take measures or comply with the rules during the ownership and maintenance of animals.”

The fine on private television stations and state television station TRT for failing to broadcast educational programs about animals for at least 2 hours per month has increased to 9,133 liras for each month. The fines will be imposed if the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) finds that these rules have been breached.

Other fines are as follows: Those who do not register their cat or dog to municipalities will be fined 454 liras. Those who abandon a pet that cannot adapt to life in the wild will be fined 302 liras. Those who make animals fight will be fined 2,281 liras.