CAUGHT: Woman detained after killing two stray kittens in Istanbul

ISTANBUL

The same woman is thought to have killed other stray cats and dogs in the neighborhood, according to Doğan News Agency.

Turkish police have detained a 27-year-old woman on suspicion of being the person who was seen on security cameras footage while killing two stray kittens during the late hours of Aug. 10 in Istanbul.

The video shows a woman kicking and running over two little kittens, as a black cat, apparently their mother, tried to protect its offspring, in a deserted street in Fatih neighborhood. The same woman is thought to have killed other stray cats and dogs in the neighborhood, according to Doğan News Agency (DHA).

Police detained Derya Koçak on Aug. 12.

Koçak, who was treated for a mental disorder in the past, told in her statement that the person in the video was herself, although she "can't remember" the incident.

The camera footage was obtained after locals who saw the dead kittens inquired about the incident.
Another woman who saw the kittens’ dead bodies decided to adopt the mother cat.

“When I brought her back to the street where she lost her babies, she started to search for them everywhere. She looked all over the place, under the trees, the cars … She was still hoping to find them alive,” said Nurcan Manastırlı, adding she adopted it after being horrified by the scene.

Less than a week ago, a man was captured by cameras beating a stray dog to death in Eskişehir despite not being attacked by the animal.

Also in Eskişehir, a university student had generated a huge outcry after a chilling video showed him torturing and killing his neighbors’ cat.

According to a new law submitted in June to Parliament, penalties for those who abuse animals have increased and include jail time.

But animal activists have criticized the draft, saying it only foresees punishment if the animal is owned by the person.