Working Overtime In The Capital Ankara For The Law In Favor Of Animals

As the delegation committee of the Animal Rights Legislative and Monitoring Delegation, we held negotiations with the authorities of Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks and with the congressmen in Ankara between February 18-20 where we had submitted our requisition file which includes our redlines on the Animal Rights Act.

Our requisitions and redlines on the law as the Animal Rights Legislative and Monitoring Delegation are shaped as below:

Not To Amend Article 6th of the Animal Protection Law 5199

Article 6 states that: “It is essential that the animals that are sterilized, vaccinated and rehabilitated at the recruitment sites to be left in the environment they are taken from after registration”. It was emphasized that this article should not be changed so that the animals would t return to streets that they are used to living in and are not sent to the unknown. It was stated that the previous legislative proposal that suggests leaving the animals to their so called “natural habitats” which would be forests away from humans or wastelands outside the city would mean to threaten the lives of street animals. It was emphasized that the amendment of 6th article to be changed against the animals in the new legislative process would cause social outrage and would not be accepted by life advocates.

Penalties

The sentence for killing an animal, cruel behavior, torture, sexual violence towards animals, animal fighting, and destroying an animal generation was requested to impose a prison sentence starting from 2 years and 1 month and it has been requested that these penalties were never to be postponed, not to be subjected to the deferment of the announcement of the verdict, not to be subjected to good time credit or to be converted to criminal penalty.

Another issue highlighted by the delegation under the title of penalties was the “complaint clause” problem. The delegation emphasized that opening investigations for animal killing, cruel behavior, torture, sexual violence against animals, animal fighting, destroying an animal generation should not be conditional on any individual or institution’s complaint and that an application to the contrary would take away the constitutional right of the citizens, that individuals should be able to complain about animal rights violations and that public prosecutors should be formally authorized to investigate animal rights violations.

Penalty For Municipality Officers

It is stated as a red line that the necessary legal arrangements to be made for the municipal officers who do not fulfill their duties by violating the rights of the animals to whom they are legally obliged to protect “without seeking a permit for investigation” and to be tried with prison sentence and that it should be necessary to apply the penalties and that the sanction should recourse to the violator:

 “If the violent act against the animal would be carried out by the officers of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the municipality and those who are obliged to take care of the animal, this situation should be accepted as a major circumstance and an aggravated penalty should be applied.”

Banning and Closing Animal Circuses and Dolphin Parks and Transforming Zoos into Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers

It was requested to ban the animal land and water circuses, the closure of existing dolphin show and therapy facilities within a year without allowing them to be sectoralized and legitimized under any circumstances as well as banning all kinds of commercial activities especially of dolphin therapy and shows, banning marine mammal imports and the protection of the animals in existing facilities and allocating suitable centers for their rehabilitation.

It was asked to take the necessary steps to develop a system that does not contain exploitation, where the captive sea animals in the existing facilities can be looked after “without being put to work” until the end of their lives.

Regarding the animal circuses, it was requested that the entrance of animal circus and shows from abroad not to be allowed in the country in any way and the opening of new animal circuses to be banned.

Considering at least the 16 thousand animals, it was demanded to ban the opening of new zoos as well as bringing in new animals, and to transform existing facilities into comprehensive wildlife rehabilitation centers by employing hospital configurations and specialist veterinarians.

Banning Of The Coaches With Horses 

Delegation representatives shared with congressmen that the coaches with horses should be completely banned nationwide instead of the proposal for solving the problems caused by the coaches with horses at the level of local animal protection boards and that special living spaces should be allocated for horses liberated from exploitation.

Animal Testing and The Right For Ethical Education

It was demanded that offering alternative methods to students who do not want to experiment with animals in universities should be made compulsory, and that the researchers to be encouraged to alternative scientific methods that do not use animals.

In addition, it was requested to abolish the provision that paved the way for experimentation on stray animals which is: “The domestic species such as cats and dogs are not to be used in experiments. However, these animals can be used in experiments when there is a need for studies related to the health and welfare of the animals, when the animals pose a serious danger to the environment, human and animal health, and when scientific reasons that the purpose of the study can only be achieved by using stray animals.”

In addition, it was emphasized in the discussions that the representatives of non-governmental organizations working on animal protection and that were founded for this purpose and that have no interest in animal experiments should be included in the existing central ethical committee.

Banning Of Petshops And Production Farms

It was requested that the sale of all kinds of animals, including domestic and exotic species to be completely banned in pet shops. It was stated that the presence of petshops and production farms increased the street animal population as irresponsible individuals leave the animals on the streets after a while for various reasons, and created the perception that animals were “goods” especially among children. In addition, the Animal Rights Research Commission’s determination and recommendation was shared that petshops could continue to sell pet supplies from which they already generate income, and that they would not suffer financial losses.

Reminding that there are millions of animals waiting for a home in shelters and on the streets that have turned into death and isolation camps, it was emphasized that adoption activities from nursing homes should be encouraged on a coordinated basis.

Banning Animal Fights

It was requested to ban all kinds of animal fighting. It was emphasized that camel and bullfights, which are carried out under the name of “tradition and folklore”, are a dishonor for today and that they should be banned as soon as possible. It was underlined that animal fights were fundamentally contrary to the rights of these animals which were given various pre-fight chemicals to fight more aggressively, or were seriously injured or even killed because they were fighting while in heat period. It has also been stated that these demonstrations of torture which have turned into a betting and gambling industry, are illegal in terms of unfair and unregistered economic earnings, are blinded by public institutions, and even supported by various municipalities and district governorships, and  is unacceptable in the 21st century Turkey because of the violations of rights and law.

Abolition of the Phrase “Dangerous Breed”

It was demanded that dogs such as pitbull and japanese tosa that are claimed to be “dangerous breeds” which are sentenced to prison in their shelters and are closed to visitors due to the “banned breed” circular to be given back to their families after passing the mood tests and that those who wish to adopt these breeds should be obliged to obtain licenses and subjected to trainings. It was emphasized that there should be no such concept as a dangerous breed, and that the dangerous ones could only be those who raise these animals with a focus on fighting. For this reason, it was stated that these animals used as “weapons” in the fights organized for gambling should be confiscated, that the animals should be rehabilitated, and those who make these animals fight and those who had raised them for fighting should be sentenced to jail.

Hunting

We asked to completely ban the hunting and hunting tourism as the wildlife in Turkey is under serious threat and danger and hunting is a form of massacre. We demanded those who kill and torture wild animals to be prosecuted under the Turkish Criminal Law. 

The details of our meetings with the congressmen and DMKP officials are as follows:

General Directorate of Nature Conservation National Parks (DKMP) Head of the Wild Life Department Hüseyin Gökçe Meşe said: “Imprisoning the dolphins into pools is not humane, no creature deserves such treatment.” While Meşe pointed out that illegal poaching should be punished with imprisonment, he said that neutering is a must to reduce the street animal population and that municipalities can solve this problem. Stating that there are 12 rehabilitation centers in Turkey, Meşe stated that the number of wildlife rehabilitation centers in Turkey should be increased. Upon us stating that the Animal Experiments Center Ethics Committee did not give information about the number of animals used in the experiments since 2017, Meşe said that he would investigate the issue and inform the delegation.

DKMP General Manager İsmail Üzmez: “Neutering Would Not Work As Long As Petshops Exist”

Stating that banning petshops and production farms for 10 years will decrease the stray animal population, Üzmez stated that their priority is to fight illegal poaching and to increase the employment of personnel in the directorate and chiefs.

DKMP Hunting Management’s Department Head Selim Karaca: “We Are Struggling Hard Against Illegal Poaching”

When we say that there is a serious resistance to the prohibition of hunting, Selim Karaca stated that hunting created tourism income and provided foreign currency input to the country. Upon our discussion on why the hunt should be banned, Karaca said the Central Hunting Commission could ban regional hunting.

Justice and Development Party (AKP) Diyarbakır Deputy Ebubekir Bal, Member of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Commission: “The Ones Who Feed Animals Are Compassionate”

Congressman Bal, whom we conveyed our request about animal maltreatment to be incriminated, said that people first used violence against animals and they direct this violence to people when they find the opportunity.

In our meeting with Bal, we once again mentioned our requests for the security of Article 6 in the current law, for the abolishment of the distinction between possessed-non possessed animals and for the banning of dolphin parks, zoos and coaches with horses, and we asked for support.

Hüseyin Şanverdi: “I Recommend You To Follow The New Judicial Law”

During the meeting with the AKP Hatay congressman Hüseyin Şanverdi, a member of the Agricultural Commission, he stated that he knew about the preparation of the law proposal and that he was following the matter. Stating that he knew the processes as he had been a municipality worker, and that the municipalities had budgets for street animals, Şanverdi suggested that we examine the new judicial law studies currently discussed by the Justice Commission when we comment on the inclusion of unfair acts against animals in the Turkish Criminal Law. While reiterating our demand for ethical education for students who do not want to experiment with animals, we also handed the file we prepared for the banning of pet shops, zoos, dolphin parks and animal circuses and for the removal of coach horses across Turkey.

Hakkı Köylü: “I Disapprove Of the Restriction Of The Judges’ Jurisdiction To Adjudicate”

In our meeting with the Parliamentary Justice Commission President, AKP Kastamonu Congressman Hakkı Köylü, we stated that the lower limit of penalty for torture, killing, rape and animal fights should start from 2 years and 1 month. In our meeting where we also touched upon the basic problems related to hunting, we emphasized that human intervention, the expansion of agricultural areas and rapid urbanization cause more damage to animals and natural habitats.

Murat Bakan: “I Am Very Clear About Dolphin Parks, They Should Definitely Be Banned”

Environment Commission spokesperson, CHP İzmir Deputy Bakan, who welcomed our team with the slogan “Freedom for dolphins, from pools to oceans” of Freedom For Dolphins Platform, stated that the dolphin park owners also requested meetings and shared the parliamentary research reports about dolphin parks with us. Stating that he is very sensitive about animal rights, Bakan emphasized that he stands with us especially regarding dolphin parks, zoos, street animals as well as dog breeds that are claimed to be “dangerous” and regarding animal experiments.

We stated that the draft law would reach the Agricultural Commission, but other congressmen who are not in the commission would have things to say as well, and that we asked for support during the law negotiations. Emphasizing that he is open to all kinds of support, Bakan stated that we can work together in favor of animals.

Bakan also stated that he has a cat.

Mehmet Akif Hamzaçebi: “Zoos and Dolphin Parks are Centers Of Captivity”

In our meeting with CHP Istanbul Congressman Mehmet Akif Hamzaçebi, we requested that they would support us as CHP group on punishing the municipalities who violate the stray animals the most in our country, who kill them or throw them away in deserted places without seeking any permit to investigate.

Hamzaçebi emphasized that he considers dolphin parks and zoos as centers of captivity, that he opposes these facilities and that these practices are against nature. He stated that he would follow up on the termination of these violations towards other breeds of animals.

Rıza Posacı: The Priorities Of Municipalities On Authority and Budget Should Be Street Animals”

Stating that he thinks that the people who use violence against animals have mental disorders, AKP Aydın Congressman Rıza Posacı, a member of the Agricultural Commission had listened to our requests regarding the amendment of Article 6, the punishment of municipalities and regarding other issues. Stating that he was the mayor of previous years, Posacı emphasized that municipalities should allocate their budgets to street animals instead of “spending them on advertisements”.

Okan Gaytancıoğlu: “It Is Wrong To Use Animals For Shows, Political Parties Are Below The Love For Animal And Nature”

Stating that he believes that animals and people should live together, CHP Edirne deputy Okan Gaytancıoğlu said that some traditions that exist in our culture that harm animals can only be solved by education

During the meeting, we conveyed our requests in writing and verbally to Gaytancıoğlu about the municipalities being punished without a permit to investigate animal rights violations, about the amendment of Article 6th which is our red line, about stopping the sale of animals in petshops and production farms, about forbidden breeds, dolphin parks, and the right to ethical education in science and all other subjects.

He also stated that he himself has a cat and a dog and that they are “family”.

Aydın Özer: “A Dog Would Not Attack People Without Reason”

Parliamentary Environment Commission member CHP Antalya Congressman Aydın Özer stated that the shelter conditions are very bad and that high standards should be brought to the shelters (temporary nursing homes) by making legal arrangements to improve the conditions. Stating that children should visit these nursing homes regularly in order to experience the love for animals, Özer stated that he supports our request to abolish the distinction between possessed and non-possessed animals in the new legal arrangement.

We also conveyed our request for not amending the 6th article in the current Law No. 5199 and banning the zoos and dolphin parks and asked for his support. Özer stated that he closely follows the Agricultural Commission.

Ayhan Altıntaş : “An Animal Bites For A Reason”

Parliamentary Environment Commission member and İYİ Party Ankara Congressman Ayhan Altıntaş has listened to our requests for the banning of petshops, zoos and dolphin parks and emphasized that petshops should be banned, at least for a certain period of time. Altıntaş said that in order to prevent violence towards animals and to impregnate love for animals to children, they should be educated on animals.

He also stated that they are onto the dogs in order to avoid people harming the dogs they feed on the campus of Bilkent University, that his wife feeds the street dogs and that he has a cat and a turtle.

Mehmet Göker: “I Think I Was A Stray Dog In My Previous Life :)”

Environmental Commission Member CHP Burdur Congressmen Mehmet Göker said that he agrees with us on the abolishment of the distinction between possessed and non-possessed dogs, on incriminating animal abuse and on banning the sale of animals in petshops and production farms.

Göker stated that we wanted to learn more about the existing animal-free scientific alternative methods that would be used instead of animal experiments.

Göker also stated that he has a dog.