First Lady Sibel Tatar visited a veterinary clinic within the scope of the country-wide stray animal neutering project, where she emphasised:
“Law governing animal welfare needs to be updated”
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The project of neutering stray animals across the TRNC under the leadership of First Lady Sibel Tatar is continuing at full speed.
The project, which is being held under the auspices of the Presidency, is being implemented in cooperation with Hope4Pets, Golden Paws Association, Lefke and Surrounding Villages Solidarity and Development Association's Lefke Paw Friends Committee.
Mrs Tatar, who visited a veterinary clinic within the scope of the project, stated that the scheme had kicked off in the Lefke region a short time ago, and is being continued to expand to the rest of the TRNC.
“Near to 30 street dogs are in the process of being neutered as part of the first phase,” First Lady Sibel Tatar stated. “We were shocked to hear that a bullet was discovered in the womb of one of the stray dogs during the sterilisation procedure which has also been surgically removed.” She added that they have named the dog Kader (Destiny) and added that “we are very happy that the dog has fully recovered and was collected today”.
“Relevant law governing animal welfare needs to be improved”
The First Lady called upon all citizens and residents to “be more sensitive and responsible” towards animals, including stray ones, adding: “The relevant parts of the penal code governing animal welfare needs to be updated and improved. It is necessary for there to be adequate penalties in the Penal Code which act as a deterrent concerning the welfare of animals.”
Mrs Tatar stated that at present, the respective penalty in terms of animal welfare is an administrative fine of up to four-times the national minimum wage. “The respective legislation at present is by no means a sufficient deterrent and needs to be improved and made more civilised,” she added.
Mrs Sibel Tatar thanked the Golden Paws Association, Hope4Pets, Lefke and Surrounding Villages Solidarity and Development Association's Lefke Paw Friends Committee and everyone who contributed to the practice while continuing to sterilise stray dogs in other parts of the island.
“Cats and dogs should be treated as living beings and family members, not as commercial goods!”
Veterinary Niyazi Çelebi, also making a statement during the visit of Mrs Tatar, emphasised the “importance of reducing the number of stray animals,” adding that “this is also of immense benefit to the society”.
Mr Çelebi remarked that “neutering stray animals will solve many of the problems being encountered today”. He added that “cats and dogs should be treated as living beings and family members, not as commercial goods”.
Referring to the discovery of a bullet in the womb of one of the stray dogs, Mr Çelebi added: “We were all saddened to have discovered a bullet in the womb of one of the dogs. The good news is that the bullet has been surgically removed and the dog has been nurtured. Kader is now in good health. I wish to thank everybody who showed sensitivity to the issue, especially the TRNC Presidency.
“The project has entered its third week and is progressing well”
Özlem Oran, representing the Lefke Paw Friends Committee of Lefke and Surrounding Villages Solidarity and Development Association, stated that they had initially presented the social responsibility project to the Presidency in order to ensure a healthier life for stray dogs, which she said “has rocketed in numbers” in the Lefke region. Commemorating the leadership of First Lady Sibel Tatar, she said the project was successfully being implemented with the cooperation of Altin Patiler [Golden Paws] and Hope4Pets. She explained that the neutering project has entered its third week and is progressing well, and thanked Mrs Sibel Tatar for her sensitivity and support.
Also referring to the stray dog that had a bullet removed from her body, Ms Oran said that the “necessary treatment has been administered,” adding: “You may feel uncomfortable or afraid of these animals, but please do not harm them."