The Animal Rights and Protection bill passed the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and received approval by the President of Turkey. Certainly this is a positive step for Turkey and her animals in need; however, there are obvious gaps in the bill requiring immediate improvements.

Animal rights activists have met with the prime minister to urge the government to implement serious punishments for animal abusers, Anatolia news agency has reported.

A group led by Animal Rights Federation, or HAYTAP, head Ahmet Kemal Şenpolat asked Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to institute an aggravated punishment for animal abuse by recommending those who are convicted of animal abuse not be permitted to obtain their own release by paying an administrative fee.

Şenpolat met Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş at the Prime Ministry office at Dolmabahçe Palace on Sunday before the meeting while the pair was accompanied by a delegation of eminent figures from across Turkish society, including pop singers Yonca Evcimik, Ajda Pekkan, Metin Özülkü and Burcu Güneş, journalist Ömür Gedik and actress Tuna Arman.

The activists said persons accused of animal abuse should face trial in court.

Şenpolat said the prime minister told the delegation he was very sensitive about the issue. He cautioned, however, that it would not be possible to change the current law outlining punishments for animal abuse until after this summer’s general elections, according to Şenpolat.

“We received a promise from the prime minister,” said Şenpolat, adding that after the elections, any cases regarding animal abuse would be judged in the courts.

Topbaş also promised that no dolphin aquariums would be opened in Istanbul, Şenpolat said while also calling for the licenses of current dolphin aquariums throughout the country to be investigated.

Şenpolat said there were some websites which broadcast animal fights and provided site visitors the opportunity to bet on the outcome of the fight for money.

“We also demanded a change to the current Internet Law [to protect animals from being exploited in fights],” he said.