CHP deputies propose animal rights draft law
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
Hürriyet photo
Republican People’s Party (CHP) Istanbul deputies Umut Oran and Melda Onur have prepared a draft law that includes important amendments to the Animal Protection Law.Oran proposed prison sentences ranging from one to six years for those found guilty of mistreating animals, applying torture, leaving them without food or water, neglecting the care of their own animals and for those who kill stray animals.
The deputy said he was commemorating his dog Oskar, who died in 2007 after being in Oran’s care for 16 years. Oran and Onur held a press conference yesterday to explain the amendments. Animal Rights Federation (HAYTAP) Ankara representative Oya Tekvar was also present at the conference.
Oran said Turkey had many problems, one of which was that those who mistreated animals were not punished.
“The protection of animals is very important. Like Rumi says, animals are silent witnesses of cruelty. Even if they remain silent now, they will definitely have a say after death,” he said.
Oran added that he had spent 95 percent of his life with animals so he knew their sufferings very well.
