Puppy Pornographer Sentenced to 9 Years 9 Months for Killing Dogs in Ankara
In a grim and disturbing case out of Ankara, a court has handed down a prison sentence to a doctor found guilty of appalling acts of animal cruelty.
This case raises serious questions about animal protection, trust in professionals, and the broader social response to abuse.
The Facts of the Case
According to the indictment prepared by the Ankara Western Public Prosecutor’s Office, the defendant, 28-year-old doctor Muhammet Mustafa Duman, was charged with taking home stray or young dogs under the pretext of adopting them, committing sexual abuse, killing them and disposing of their bodies.
Key points:
The defendant is alleged to have responded to adoption announcements on social media on March 30 and April 26, through which he obtained puppies.
The indictment states that he brought these dogs to his home in the Bağlıca neighbourhood of Etimesgut district, Istanbul, then committed animal sexual abuse and killed and dismembered them.
Digital examinations reportedly found more than 43,000 obscene images of animal abuse on devices belonging to him. The prosecutor’s office concluded that this constituted the offence of obscenity as well.
As a result, the court sentenced him to:
5 years 2 months in prison for killing animals.
4 years 7 months in prison for animal sexual abuse.
Total prison term: 9 years 9 months.
Additionally, he was fined 20,550 Turkish Lira (£365 / $490) for the animal-killing offence.
For the obscenity offence, the court decided to postpone the announcement of the verdict (i.e., a conditional suspension) for 1 year 15 days of imprisonment plus a fine of 750 TL ($17 / £13)
Why This Case Matters
This case is shocking for several reasons:
Betrayal of trust – A medical professional, someone expected to care for life, instead committed extreme cruelty.
Animal protection and legal precedent – It shows that animal-abuse offences are being taken seriously and can carry significant prison sentences under Turkish law.
Social media and stray-animal adoptions – The case raises a red-flag about how stray or young animals are acquired via social media announcements, and how vulnerable animals can be exploited. Public shelters will need to be mindful of adopting out dogs without home & background checks. They will need to bring their adoption process up to western standards
Technology’s role in detection – The massive number of obscene images found on the defendant’s devices shows how digital evidence is crucial in modern investigations of cruelty.
Reflections and Implications
For animal welfare advocates: This case may serve as both a warning and a call to action. Stray-animal adoption should be monitored, and mechanisms strengthened to ensure safe, transparent processes.
For the public: We are reminded to exercise caution when adopting animals via informal channels. Background checks, visiting the home, verifying the adopter, etc., are all important.
For professionals: It’s a stark reminder that credentials and responsibility go hand-in-hand. Society places trust in doctors and other professionals; when that trust is violated in such a manner, it undermines public confidence.
For policymakers and law-makers: Even though this case resulted in heavy penalties, it prompts the question: Are existing laws and enforcement sufficient to deter animal cruelty? Should further reforms be considered (e.g., stronger sentencing, stricter control of animal-adoption channels, mandatory registration/tracking)?
What Next?
It will be important to follow whether the sentence is appealed, and how the appellate court rules.
Monitoring the implementation: Whether the 20,550 TL fine is paid, whether the conditional sentence for obscenity is activated.
Evaluating if this case triggers wider discussion or reform in animal-welfare regulation in Turkey.
Raising awareness: Animal-welfare NGOs and social-media platforms might use this case as an educational tool to prevent future abuse.
Final Thoughts
At its core, this story is disturbing and tragic. It reminds us of the vulnerability of animals, the importance of responsible adoption, and the need for robust legal and social frameworks to protect those who cannot protect themselves. While the court’s decision sends a message that animal cruelty will be punished, there remains much work to be done to ensure prevention, transparency and accountability in animal-welfare matters.
I despair of society. Not just in Turkey but throughout the world. Horrified by this.