Man fined over 170,000 TL for forcing donkey to eat cigarette in Karpaz

Karpaz, north Cyprus – A man who extended a cigarette to a donkey, causing the animal to ingest it, has been fined 173,876 Turkish Lira under the Animal Welfare Law by the Veterinary Department.

Kemal Basat, Director of the Taşkent Nature Park, confirmed the penalty via a statement on social media. According to Basat, law enforcement officers responded swiftly following a public complaint, leading to the identification of the individual responsible for the incident.

“The individual was summoned to the police station today, where the Veterinary Department imposed a fine equivalent to four times the minimum wage, totaling 173,876 TL, under the Animal Welfare Law,” Basat stated.

He expressed his gratitude to both the Veterinary Department and its staff for ensuring the enforcement of the law, as well as to the Karpaz Police Station officers who swiftly identified and took action against the perpetrator.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with animal rights advocates and citizens condemning the abuse and calling for stricter enforcement of animal welfare regulations.