History of Animal Protection Law in Turkey

Abstract

Debates on the topics concerning human-animal relations, animals in social life, and manners of treatment towards animals date back to the ancient times. In the oldest judicial documents animals were referred to as "property." Increase of animal utilization in various sectors due to industrialization and cruel means used in these processes evoked reactions from public opinion in many countries. These reactions led governments to adopt some legislative regulations related with the basic rights and welfare of animals. In this study, the related progress in Turkish history is evaluated.