A shocking act of cruelty has brought grief and outrage to Bodrum and across Turkey. On January 14, 2026, students at Mugla Sitki Kocman made a heart-wrenching discovery: Duman, a cat cared for by members of the university community, was found dead with severe injuries that indicate deliberate and violent harm
What Happened to Duman?
Duman was well known and affectionately cared for on the Fine Arts Faculty campus of university. But when a student found him lifeless on the university grounds, it was clear something deeply disturbing had occurred. According to local media reports:
The cat’s abdominal skin had been completely skinned, and
His tail was severed.
A necropsy (post-mortem examination) showed that the wounds were caused by a sharp object, and were inconsistent with natural causes or an attack by another animal.
These details have made it clear to investigators and the public alike that this was not an accident it was intentional cruelty.
University and Legal Response
News reports say that an official investigation has been launched into the killing. Authorities and university officials are cooperating with investigators to understand exactly what happened and to identify those responsible.
Additionally, the Muğla Bar Association’s Natural Life Protection and Animal Rights Commission filed a criminal complaint, saying it will follow the legal process closely and push for accountability for the perpetrators. The commission emphasised that violence against animals is a serious societal problem that must not be ignored
A Community in Shock
For students and staff at the university, Duman was more than a campus cat he was a part of daily life. Many social media posts from people on campus express sadness and disbelief that an animal they watched, fed, and befriended could be subjected to such brutal harm.
The reaction has not been limited to the campus. Animal lovers and advocates throughout the region have shared the story, demanding both justice for the cat and stronger protections for animals everywhere.
Why This Matters
This incident strikes at the heart of how we define community, compassion, and civilised behaviour. A university campus is meant to be a place of learning, friendship, and curiosity not a place where an innocent animal is left to suffer a violent death.
Beyond the horror of the act itself, this tragedy raises important questions:
How can we better protect animals that live among us?
What does it say about societal values when acts of cruelty occur in spaces dedicated to education and culture?
And how will legal systems respond to ensure accountability and prevention of future cruelty?
While the investigation continues, many people are calling for renewed attention to animal welfare laws and enforcement. For advocates, every life matters and violence against any creature is a stain on our collective conscience