27.06.2026 12:16
The reasoned decision of the case regarding the pitbull attack in which 4-year-old Asiye Ateş was seriously injured in Gaziantep has been announced. The court characterized the two pitbulls that carried out the attack as "weapons" under the Turkish Penal Code, while also presenting its justifications for convicting the defendants of injury by probable intent.
The reasons for the sentences given to 6 defendants in the case regarding the pitbull attack that seriously injured 4-year-old Asiye Ateş in Gaziantep about 5 years ago have been announced.
TWO PITBULLS ATTACKED LITTLE ASIYE
In the reasoned decision of the Gaziantep 27th Criminal Court of First Instance, it was reminded that in the incident that occurred on December 22, 2021, in the Beştepe neighborhood of Şahinbey district, 4-year-old Asiye Ateş was attacked by 2 pitbulls while she was on the basketball court at the complex, resulting in serious injury.
In the decision, it was stated that approximately 7 months before the incident, the dogs brought to the complex—a black pitbull named "Asil" owned by defendant Mustafa Y, and a yellow pitbull named "Zomo" owned by defendants Mustafa E. and Süheyla K—were identified.
It was noted in the decision that the kennel for the yellow dog was built on the instruction of Süheyla K, the vaccination costs were paid, and there were photos with the dog on her social media account, indicating the bond between the defendant and the dog.
The decision also stated that photos and witness statements in the file showed the black dog belonged to Mustafa Y, and the defendants' claims denying ownership of the dogs were not accepted.
THE DECISION SAID "WILLFUL VIOLATION"
In the reasoned decision, it was explained that only the site manager Mustafa E had remote access to the security camera system of the complex, and it was determined that the camera recordings showing the scene of the incident were deleted via remote access immediately after the event, with this action being carried out by Mahmut E, his brother, on the instruction of Mustafa E.
Information was provided that defendant Zeynep C frequently interacted with the dogs, walked them around the complex, and attended to their feeding, while defendant Zeliha C, with permission from Süheyla K, was walking the dogs near the victim child when the incident occurred.
The decision emphasized that although it was known that pitbulls, which are prohibited from being walked without a muzzle and leash, should not be brought into areas where children are present, the defendants willfully violated these rules, thereby causing the victim's injury.
PITBULL CLASSIFIED AS A "WEAPON"
The court's decision stated, "It is understood that the defendants should be held responsible for the crime of willful injury with possible intent, and the dogs involved in the incident are classified as weapons under Article 6 of the Turkish Penal Code."
Referring to the security camera footage, the reasoned decision noted that the pitbulls bit the head of the 4-year-old victim and did not release it for a long time, that the attack continued for a while despite intervention from those who came to rescue the child, and that the scene was covered in blood.
It was stated that the defendants' sentences were increased because they committed the crime of willful injury with pitbulls considered as "weapons" and against a child who was unable to defend themselves physically or mentally, and no reduction was applied in their favor because they did not show remorse.
THE INCIDENT
In the Beştepe neighborhood of Şahinbey district, on December 22, 2021, 4-year-old Asiye Ateş was seriously injured when attacked by 2 pitbulls. Six people were detained in connection with the incident.
The two attacking pitbulls were handed over to the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Animal Shelter and Rehabilitation Center by the Nature Conservation and National Parks Branch Directorate.
In its decision on April 3, the court sentenced site manager Mustafa E, site resident Mustafa Y, site management secretary Süheyla K, tea maker Zeliha C, and her sister Zeynep C to 6 years in prison each for the crime of "willful injury with possible intent," and sentenced Mustafa E's brother Mahmut E to 2 years and 6 months in prison for "destroying, concealing, or altering evidence of a crime."