The Turkish government is readying fundamental changes to an animal protection law, following a collaborative effort led by three ministries and animal rights organizations. According to the new draft, which is expected to be put on the cabinet’s agenda in the following weeks, those who rape, beat or kill animals will be charged with a two year prison term. The draft also prohibits the breeding and selling of pit bulls in Turkey and will eventually make it illegal to own the breed, Hurriyet Daily News reports.
Three months after the amendment is put into place, all pit bull owners will have to turn over their dogs to animal shelters.
Inflicting physical or psychological torture on animals, starving them or forcing them to stay in places of extreme temperature also will be forbidden. Those who violate this law will be fined.
Drivers who hit stray animals on the street will be responsible for taking the injured animal to an animal hospital and will also be required to pay the animals medical expenses.
