Turkish Court Imprisons Dog Owner After 3‑Year‑Old Injured in Karaman Attack

A 3‑year‑old child was severely bitten by a Belgian shepherd in the Başakşehir neighbourhood of Karaman, Turkey. The attack caused heavy injuries, including broken ribs and internal bleeding, and the child was transferred to Konya Şehir Hospital for treatment.

The dog's owner, identified as Y. Z., was initially released on judicial‑control conditions after police detention. Following an appeal by the Karaman Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı, a higher court ordered his re‑arrest and sentenced him to imprisonment, marking a precedent‑setting decision on liability for attacks by owned animals. Security‑camera footage captured the bite and the swift intervention of neighbours who rescued the child.

The ruling is being cited as a deterrent example for similar cases involving owned dogs and public safety in Turkey.