20.12.2025 19:35
In the Çayırova district of Kocaeli, legal action has been initiated against the owner of a pit bull dog that entered a mosque for the crime of 'releasing the animal in a manner that poses a danger.'
In Kocaeli's Çayırova district, legal action has been initiated against the owner N.U. for the crime of 'Releasing an animal in a manner that poses a danger' after a pitbull entered the mosque during the sermon before Friday prayers, and an administrative penalty was also imposed.
The incident occurred yesterday at the Marmara Recycling Industrial Site Mosque in the Şekerpınar neighborhood before Friday prayers. While the mosque imam was giving a sermon, a pitbull, which is a banned breed, entered the mosque.
IT ENTERED SUDDENLY
The pitbull began to roam freely among the congregation, causing unease among some citizens listening to the sermon. After wandering inside the mosque for a while, the dog was taken outside. The moments when the dog was roaming inside the mosque were captured on a mobile phone camera.
TEAMS SPRANG INTO ACTION
Çayırova Municipality teams identified the owner of the pitbull as N.U. The dog, which was seized by the municipal teams, was taken to the Çayırova Municipality Temporary Animal Shelter and Rehabilitation Center. Legal action was initiated against the owner N.U. under Article 177 of the Turkish Penal Code for the crime of 'Releasing an animal in a manner that poses a danger.' Additionally, an administrative penalty was imposed on the dog owner by the Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks.