Driver Who Ran Over a Sleeping Dog Identified and Caught

A deeply disturbing incident in Turkey has once again highlighted the dangers faced each day by stray animals and the urgent need for stronger accountability.

In the Doğancı village of Bolu, a driver was caught on camera running over a dog that was sleeping on the road and then continuing on without stopping. The impact left the dog severely injured, with multiple fractures to its legs. The footage, which quickly spread on social media, caused widespread outrage among animal lovers and the general public.

Witnesses immediately alerted authorities and municipal veterinary teams rushed to the scene. The injured dog was taken to a veterinary clinic, where emergency treatment began. Veterinarians confirmed that the dog had suffered serious trauma and would require long-term care.

Following the circulation of the video, police launched an investigation using traffic cameras and eyewitness reports. The driver was identified and apprehended in a short time. According to official statements, legal and administrative proceedings were initiated under Turkey’s Animal Protection Law (Law No. 5199).

A Broader Problem

This case is not an isolated one. Across Turkey and many other countries, stray animals are routinely injured or killed by vehicles, often due to speeding, inattention, or simple indifference. What makes this case particularly painful is the failure of the driver to stop and offer help after realizing what had happened.

Animal welfare organisations stress that every such incident is a test of society’s conscience. Roads are shared spaces, and drivers carry a responsibility not only toward other humans, but toward all living beings who may cross their path.

Justice and Responsibility

While the capture of the driver is an important step, animal rights advocates continue to call for stronger enforcement of existing laws and more serious penalties for acts of negligence and cruelty. They also emphasize the need for better public awareness, driver education, and local measures to protect stray animals, such as warning signs in areas where animals frequently rest or cross.

The injured dog’s fight for survival is now in the hands of veterinarians. He is no longer in shock & is eating but remains very unwell & unable to use his hind legs. When x-rayed like so many stray dogs he had bullets in his body. Whether he fully recovers or not, his story has already served as a painful reminder: compassion is not optional. Every life on the street matters, and justice must follow when that life is treated as disposable.