Verdict reached for individual who killed kittens with a broom handle

In the incident that occurred on August 11 in the Sağlık neighborhood on Kurudere Street in Salihli, Muzaffer Ş. killed kittens with a broom handle on the grounds that they had entered his home.

Following the coverage of the moment the kittens were killed in the press and on social media, the individual was taken into custody. In the first hearing of the case held at the Salihli 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance, the defendant requested his release. The defendant stated, “I am 71 years old. I worked as a civil servant for 30 years. For the first time in my life, I experienced such an outburst of anger. I apologize profusely to all animal lovers and everyone I have upset. I am in deep remorse, both in my conscience. This is not my character.”

Regarding Muzaffer Ş.'s defense that "This incident happened to one cat, not 2 or 3," the presiding judge reminded him that he had mentioned 2 or 3 cats in both his statement at the District Police Department and his statement taken at the Salihli Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The defendant replied, "I insisted in my statements that it was one cat. It was always written as 2 or 3 cats in the records." Asiye Akbaş Aydın, the lawyer for the Manisa Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, who was a party to the case, requested that the defendant be punished at the maximum level.

“SENTENCED TO 3 YEARS AND 9 MONTHS”

After hearing the parties, the prosecution announced its opinion. The prosecution requested that the defendant be punished for the crime of killing more than one cat in a merciless, cruel, and monstrous manner, in accordance with Articles 28/A-2 and 28/A-6 of the Animal Protection Law, and Articles 51/1, 54/1, and 63/3 of the Turkish Penal Code, based on camera footage and witness testimonies. After the parties were heard, the hearing was adjourned for 10 minutes. After the break, the court sentenced the defendant to a total of 3 years and 9 months in prison. The judge did not apply any discretionary reduction. After the verdict was announced, animal lovers following the hearing applauded the decision to impose the maximum sentence.

“HE MADE UP MANY STORIES”

Funda Canseven, President of the Salihli Animal Protection Association, who made a press statement in front of the Salihli Courthouse, said, “We would like to express our endless gratitude to our colleagues from the Izmir Bar Association and Manisa Bar Association, our animal lovers, and our law enforcement officers who have followed the process from the beginning.

Although the defendant killed 3 kittens, it was recorded as 2 because the mother cat had taken one of the kittens away. In fact, he slaughtered 3 cats. I would also like to thank Asiye Akbaş Aydın, the lawyer for the Manisa Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, for her excellent defense and statement.

All of the defendant's statements were full of lies because his own statements and the records existed. He made up many stories. He wanted to get a reduction in his sentence, but it did not happen. He received the heaviest sentence he could get under the current law. Despite apologizing and expressing remorse, he did not receive any reduction.

We also thank our judges and prosecutors. It was an incident that caused public outrage, and the defendant received a sentence that could serve as an example. Of course, since the procedure is ongoing, he was released until the decision becomes final,” she said.

Gizem Nur Demirtaş, one of the lawyers from the Manisa Bar Association, and Aylin Aras Öztürk, one of the lawyers from the Izmir Bar Association, also made speeches.