Animal shelter tension in Gebze after 22 days: 1 detained
It was previously reported that the Gebze Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had launched an investigation after a large number of cats and dogs were found dead in trash bags at an animal rehabilitation center in the Gebze district of Kocaeli about a month ago. Following the incident, which sparked public outrage, citizens who have been keeping watch in front of the shelter stated that animals were being brought into the shelter for the first time in 22 days. One person was detained following a standoff between the gendarmerie and the citizens.
Beste Çelik
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Beste ÇELİK 12punto.com.tr
The 'animal massacre' footage from the Gebze Municipality's Stray Animal Rehabilitation Center, which surfaced on social media 22 days ago and drew widespread condemnation, has caused a major stir in public opinion.
Following the emergence of the footage, numerous politicians, associations, non-governmental organizations, and citizens flocked to the front of the shelter. Although the Gebze Municipality stated, "The Gebze Municipality Veterinary Directorate works in line with routine operations and citizen notifications to ensure that stray animals live healthy lives and do not pose a vital problem," citizens have been keeping a 'life watch' in front of the shelter for 22 days. However, the citizens on watch claimed that animals began to be brought into the shelter for the first time on October 31. Animal rights activists protested against two collection vehicles entering the shelter. It was noted that a large number of gendarmerie teams took security measures in front of the shelter before the vehicles were allowed in.
1 CITIZEN DETAINED
It was noted that a large number of gendarmerie teams took security measures in front of the shelter before the animal collection vehicles were allowed in. A dispute and scuffle broke out between the gendarmerie teams and animal rights activists in the area. A citizen named Hasan Ş. was detained during the incidents. Hasan Ş. was released after giving his statement at the gendarmerie station; however, it was learned that tensions remain high in the area.
“THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE THIS PLACE ACTIVE AGAIN”
Erman Gelici, President of the Kocaeli Nature and Animal Protection Collective, made a statement regarding the issue. Recalling that 2 citizens keeping watch in a tent were also detained on October 29, Gelici said, "Today, unfortunately, they displayed an approach that we, as animal lovers, cannot accept by making the mistake of taking animals inside, without taking any precautions, without expanding the scope of the investigation, and even without initiating administrative and legal proceedings against some of the personnel who were there that day. We wanted to take the animals and care for them ourselves, but unfortunately, we were met with the intervention of the gendarmerie. The gendarmerie tried to prevent us from taking the animals we were trying to retrieve from the vehicles. Following this, our friend was detained in the ensuing scuffle and was later released. We are the public that protects the public. Because a crime was committed here. Those who committed that crime are still trying to make this place active again."
“PERSONNEL WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE INVESTIGATION”
Stating that their demands were not met, Gelici said the following:
"Our demand was for the personnel inside to be included in the scope of the investigation, but they were not. We had requested that precautions be taken because this place is a crime scene, but no precautions were taken either. That is why we have been continuing our watch for 21 days."