Two tons of unhealthy meat, 1,000 chickens seized in Turkey’s Adana

ADANA

Two tons of unhealthy meat and 1,000 chickens were seized in a police operation in the southern province of Adana early on Jan. 1.

The operation was carried out in Adana’s Seyhan district after police detected an illegal slaughterhouse under the guise of a workplace upon a denunciation.

Police seized two tons of chicken, which had been butchered unhealthily and prepared to be sent off to markets, and 1,000 chickens during the raid. They also seized several cardboard boxes with various brand names written on them.

The chickens were delivered to the Livestock Ministry and the meats were taken under examination.

Authorities have fined the owner of the illegal butchery.

Hundreds of horse, donkey skeletons found

Hundreds of donkey and horse skeletons were found in Adana on Dec. 29 in the Yüreğir district when the carcasses were found after they emitted pungent smell. Locals, panicked by the stench, arrived in the area and saw a large number of the animals’ bones, informing the police about the incident.

Locals say they try to avoid eating meat at restaurants over worries that they could be eating donkey, horse, cat or dog meat.

Meat comprised of horse is a growing concern in Turkey.

“These are sold everywhere, now we are worried when we eat meat in Adana. There should be a solution for this,” the locals said.

The Livestock Ministry’s provincial directorate said the bones and other animal carcasses were the result of illegal slaughtering, adding that an investigation into the incident has been launched.