Gebze Mayor makes statement regarding massacre footage: He had praised the shelter in question 2 days ago

At the Gebze Municipality's Stray Animal Temporary Care Home and Rehabilitation Center, 30 dogs, 14 cats, and 1 crow were killed by "drugs." While an investigation was launched at the shelter following the incident, Gebze Mayor Zinnur Büyükgöz announced that an inquiry into the process has been initiated.

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Gebze Mayor makes statement regarding massacre footage: He had praised the shelter in question 2 days ago

The animal deaths that occurred at theGebze Municipality Stray Animal Temporary Care Home and Rehabilitation Center have sparked widespread public outrage.

Following the killing of 30 dogs, 14 cats, and 1 crow by "drugs," animal rights activists held a protest at the shelter.

The Gebze Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into the incident, while gendarmerie teams conducted inspections at the center. Needles and drug vials found at the scene were seized as evidence, and fingerprint scans were performed on trash containers.

PRAISE FOR THE SHELTER FROM BÜYÜKGÖZ

Making a statement regarding the incident, Gebze Mayor Zinnur BüyükgözWhile expressing his sadness regarding the killing of the animals, he emphasized that the shelter operates within the framework of Law No. 5199. Stating that modern equipment such as endoscopy, DR system X-ray, hemogram, ultrasound, and intensive care units are used at the rehabilitation center, Büyükgöz said, "Our only goal is to make our district more livable."

WE CANNOT HAVE A PROCESS LIKE INTENTIONAL KILLING

Büyükgöz stated that the animals collected dead from the streets and those that died despite treatment were being kept to be buried, adding, "We cannot have a process of intentionally killing or culling any of our living animals. I also watched the footage and was very saddened." he said.

He claimed that the footage circulating on social media was spread after a group of people entered the shelter without permission and uncovered the animal carcasses that were being kept for burial.

INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED

Büyükgöz stated that they have launched both an internal investigation and have applied to the Gebze Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Noting that the relevant personnel have been suspended for the integrity of the investigation, Büyükgöz said, "The responsible parties will receive the necessary punishment as soon as possible."

MUNICIPALITY CLAIMED THEY WERE UNAWARE

Following the massacre, Gebze Municipality had stated that they were unaware of the incident. Animal rights advocates reacted to the event and held protests in many cities. In Ankara, the AKP Provincial Headquarters 11 animal rights advocates who wanted to hold a press statement in front of the building were detained.

PRAISE FOR THE SHELTER ONE DAY BEFORE THE FOOTAGE

While the massacre footage sparked reactions from animal rights advocates, it was observed that Gebze Mayor Zinnur Büyükgözhad made a post one day before the footage was released, praising the Stray Animal Care and Rehabilitation Center and calling for pet adoptions.

At our Gebze Municipality Stray Animal Care and Rehabilitation Center, we treat, vaccinate, neuter, and then find homes for our cute friends.

The cute [animals] we rehabilitate at our region's best-equipped Stray Animal Care and Rehabilitation Center... pic.twitter.com/8ENZTc9YBT
— Zinnur Büyükgöz (@zinnurbuyukgoz) October 10, 2024

WHO IS THE MAYOR OF GEBZE?

Gebze Mayor Zinnur Büyükgöz took office as mayor after running as a candidate for the AK Party in the March 31, 2019 local elections. He is the owner of a town planning, construction engineering, and contracting firm. Zinnur Büyükgöz served as Deputy Mayor in Gebze starting in 2004 and became mayor in 2019.

News Source: 12punto