Reaction over the killing of a dog in Paşaköy: Police launches investigation

Turkish Cypriot police on Saturday said they have launched investigation into the killing of a dog by an individual in Paşaköy on Friday.

It was reported on Friday that an individual named only as T.B killed a dog with a gun in the Paşaköy pens area. He was caught by the locals while trying to hide the dog.

Police on Saturday said the necessary investigation has been launched regarding the suspicious death of the dog which was found dead in Paşaköy.

Police in a statement said “On September 13, 2024, it was reported to the police that a stray dog ​​was found dead in the pens area in Paşaköy. When the incident came to the attention of the police, an investigation was launched. The investigation is ongoing.”

Reacting to the incident, the Animal Rights Committee of the Turkish Cypriot Bar Association and the Golden Paws Association in a statement said a person was caught hiding the dog in a sack after being followed by the locals who witnessed the incident, and that a complaint was subsequently made to the police.

The statement said, "We would like to thank Mr. Yenal, who brought the dog to the Lefkosia Veterinary Department for necropsy, and Veterinarian Mehmet Demirpençe, who performed the necropsy without wasting time."

"According to Chapter 154 of the Penal Code, killing a dog is a crime punishable by up to 2 years in prison. Committing this crime using a firearm is a serious crime that violates many articles of the Firearms Act and the Explosives Act and is punishable by up to 7 years in prison," the statement reads.

"Our immediate expectations regarding the matter are as follows:

It is unacceptable that T.B. has not been arrested yet, when such serious crimes are at stake and it is possible for him to interfere with the investigation, evidence and witnesses!

The arrest of T.B., examination of nearby cameras, and obtaining evidence of the weapon used in the incident are essential in the first stage and are our demand.
We respectfully inform the public that we will be following up on the incident so that the issue can be revealed with full transparency."

The Golden Paws Association made a special statement to the Cyprus Post regarding the incident , saying, "Eyewitnesses are sure of what they saw and are complaining. Our biggest problem right now is that the police are not doing their job properly. They are trying to get past us, we will do our best. We will meet with the police first thing on Monday. We will follow up on the issue. The Veterinary Department will be ready next week, we will go with them."