The Fake Veterinarian Scandal: Justice at Last?
In Urla, İzmir, a man accused of posing as a veterinarian is standing in front of a judge.
His name is Hüseyin Şahin, and for animal lovers across Turkey, his story has become a symbol of how easily animals and their families can fall prey to fraud, cruelty, and legal loopholes.
The Story of Venüs
This case first came to light through the heart breaking story of Venüs, a beloved family dog who suffered a broken hip and lost the use of her back legs.
In desperation, her guardians turned to Hüseyin Şahin, introduced to them as a veterinarian who could treat her.
He demanded 14,000 TL up front (£250 / $338 / 288 euro, receiving half immediately.
He delayed returning the dog, gave conflicting accounts, and showed images that the family could not confirm were actually Venüs.
On 1 September, he claimed Venüs had died. Yet when the family asked for her body, it was never delivered.
Afterwards, he became unreachable.
Venüs’s guardians turned to the courts. Their complaint, backed by documents and payment records, set in motion the case that has now reached the courtroom.
The Cats Who Suffered
Three cats Osman, İrmik, and Şanslı suffered tragic outcomes after being placed in the hands of Hüseyin Şahin, the man accused of posing as a veterinarian.
Osman, who had been shot and urgently needed surgery, was operated on under poor conditions; despite his family’s pleas, he was kept in a clinic where his fever spiked dangerously and infections spread, and he did not survive.
İrmik was given to Şahin for a routine neutering operation, but soon after developed severe complications; another clinic later diagnosed a serious heart condition and blood clots, and despite interventions, he too passed away.
Şanslı, a kitten with a spinal injury that required immediate surgery, was left untreated for days; the family was denied access and updates until they were told he had died, with no proper medical record of his final hours.
Who Is Hüseyin Şahin?
According to the Turkish Veterinary Medical Association (TVHB), Şahin is not a licensed veterinarian. He was expelled from the veterinary faculty in Aydın and has a previous conviction for document forgery. Despite this, he posed publicly as a vet, treating animals, collecting money, and appearing on the website and YouTube page of an Urla-based breeding farm as its “veterinarian.”
Further complaints have since emerged:
Families claim other animals died under his so-called “treatment.”
He allegedly conducted home visits without authorization.
He faces accusations of both animal cruelty and financial fraud.
The First Court Hearing
On 19 September 2025, Hüseyin Şahin was called to answer for these allegations in Urla Criminal Court. This marks the first time he has appeared before a judge.
For Venüs’s family and for many other victims who have since come forward it is a long-awaited step toward justice.
A Systemic Problem
This case is about more than one man. It highlights deep flaws in Turkey’s system of animal protection and professional oversight:
Weak licensing controls allow expelled students and convicted fraudsters to continue masquerading as professionals.
Animal protection laws, despite reforms, still fail to impose harsh enough penalties on fraud and cruelty.
Families in crisis are left vulnerable, often with no reliable way to check whether the person offering to save their animal is qualified.
Why This Matters
Venüs’s case is a tragedy, but it has also exposed the urgent need for reform. Every dog, cat, and companion animal deserves safe, competent, and compassionate care. Every family deserves transparency, accountability, and the assurance that when they hand their pet over to a professional, they are not handing them to a fraud.
The appearance of Hüseyin Şahin in court is just the beginning. What happens next will test the strength of Turkey’s animal welfare laws and the determination of society to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
Don’t Donate Blindly,Check the Veterinarian First
Animal lovers should be extremely cautious when donating toward medical treatment for injured or sick animals.
Never give blindly always make certain that the veterinarian handling the patient is fully qualified, licensed, and trained specifically in companion animal care.
A true veterinarian will be known and respected in their field, with credentials that can be verified.
At Dog Desk Animal Action, we only work with the very best veterinarians in Turkey, and we urge you to ensure that any organization or citizen you support holds itself to the same standard.