Two suspects detained over dog fights in Turkey’s southeast
GAZİANTEP
Two suspects were detained on Feb. 17 over allegedly organizing dog fights in the southeastern province of Gaziantep, as gendarmerie forces seized 19 dogs, including nine puppies, during a raid.
Upon criticism from animal lovers, gendarmerie forces began an investigation into online videos showing dog fights in Gaziantep’s Oğuzeli district
Forces raided a house and detained two suspects who had allegedly organized a dog fight for a wager of 50,000 Turkish Liras. Nineteen dogs were seized by gendarmeries forces, of which most were wounded, and delivered to the Gaziantep Zoo.
The suspects also confessed they were planning to organize a “dog fight festival,” adding that they expected up to 5,000 participants and at least 100 dogs at the event. The owners of the dogs seized during the operation were also fined.
Meanwhile, gendarmerie forces seized 23 cocks, which had been bred for cock fights, during an operation at another address that same day.
“Our fight against dog fights began in 2009. Finally, we began to follow dog-fighters in the Oğuzeli district of Gaziantep. We also noticed there would be a dog fight tournament or a festival with a total attendance of about 3,000 to 5,000. As soon as we traced evidence of the possible tournament, we informed the Gaziantep Governor’s Office,” said Animal Rights Union head Mehtap Özer.
