Turkey Passes Law That Requires Pet Parents To Undergo Mandatory Train

Amy Tokic
by Amy Tokic

Now here’s a law that makes a lot of sense to us. Turkey has just pass a law that anyone who wants to own a pet now has to pass a certification and will have to provide a suitable living environment before bringing one home. And even better news – pet stores are banned from selling all animals (except fish and birds) and prison sentences will be enforced for the torture and ill-treatment of animals.


This animal rights bill was headed by Justice and Development Party (AKP) Manisa deputy Selçuk Özdağ. The specifics to the bill are as follows:


“Any person, who adopts, owns, sells or cares for an animal needs to have an accommodation suitable for the welfare of the animal, meet its ethological needs and care for its health. People who sell or adopt pets are obliged to take precautionary measures to prevent environmental pollution and damage and discomforts stemming from the animals; they need to compensate any damage stemming from not having taken adequate measures on time. Those who sell and own pets are obliged to participate in training programs organized by local administrations and obtain a certificate. A fine of 1,000 Turkish Liras will be imposed on those who sell pets to people who have not received animal care training.”


This means that even the people who are responsible for selling or rehoming the animals are responsible for wellbeing of the animal, not just the person who buys or adopts the dog. And if you mistreat a dog, you may find yourself in for a lengthy prison stay.


Also stated in this new bill is a clause that bans the killing of homeless or sick animals, except in certain circumstances defined by law. As well, animal experimentation will also be restricted to researchers who have completed training programs organized by an ethics council. Finally, the breed ban on the Pibull, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasilerio has been lifted.


The bill included other animal rights amendments, some which are still being discussed and have not yet been passed. All in all, this bill is a huge win for animal lovers everywhere.


We think this is a huge step in animal rights, especially when it comes to ethical treatment by pet owners. It should go one step further – animal owners who abuse animals should not be allowed to ever own animals again. But this law by Turkish official is a step in the right direction. What do you think? Please leave your thoughts in the comment area below.


[Source: Hurriyet Daily News]

Amy Tokic
Amy Tokic

Amy Tokic, Editor of PetGuide.com, is a passionate animal lover and proud pet parent of Oscar, a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua cross, and Zed, a Japanese Chin. Her love of animals began in kindergarten, when she brought her stuffed dog Snoopy into class with her every day. Now, she writes about her adventures in pet ownership and tirelessly researches products, news and health related issues she can share with other animal enthusiasts. In her free time, Amy loves perusing used book and record stores, obsessing over the latest pet products available and chasing squirrels with wild abandon (a habit attributed to spending too much time with her pooches).

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