[Denver]

A HORRIFICALLY abused puppy has outraged a nation and found itself at the centre of the Turkish election after being found mutilated in a forest in the country.

The tiny hound had had all its legs and tail cut off when it was discovered in woodland in the Sapanca district in the northwestern province of Sakarya, prompting President Erdogan to vow to crack down on animal cruelty.
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The wounded pooch was taken to a vet for treatment but sadly died during surgery on Friday.

It led to a political outcry in the country and prompting a rare moment of unity between government and opposition parties.

President Erdogan told an election rally in Istanbul on Sunday that police had detained a construction machine operator on Saturday in relation to the puppy's death.

He pledged that Turkey's animal rights laws would be amended after the June 24 vote in which he is aiming to win a second term.

He said: "Whether at home or on the street, we will take the law into consideration and evaluate it. This operator was arrested today. The authorities in Sapanca ordered his arrest.

"There is nothing acceptable about this, but it is very important to show this awareness."

The incident prompted a rare show of unity among Turkey's political parties and presidential candidates, who have been verbally sparring for weeks ahead of Sunday's parliamentary and presidential elections.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/655888...orest-sakarya/