Adana’s Seyhan district witnessed a harrowing incident when a four-year-old child was attacked by a Rottweiler. After an intense treatment process, the child was discharged from the hospital, struggling to walk due to deep wounds on the left leg.
The attack occurred on Wednesday, April 12, in the Denizli neighborhood of Seyhan district. The child, identified only as A.U., was visiting relatives with his mother, Birsen U., for a holiday celebration when the Rottweiler attacked him on the street. He was immediately rushed to Adana City Education and Research Hospital, where it was determined he was not in life-threatening condition.
The child’s grandfather, Ahmet Yüksel, recounted the incident to reporters. He explained that his grandson and daughter were walking on the sidewalk when the dog suddenly clamped onto the child’s leg and did not let go for a long time. Approximately ten people who witnessed the attack intervened, eventually freeing the child. Yüksel noted that the dog was difficult to control and that the incident had a profound psychological impact on his grandson.
“My grandson now wakes up in fear, saying ‘the dog bit me,'” Yüksel shared, expressing the trauma and concerns the family is experiencing. He also strongly criticized the ownership of this breed, which is among those banned, and called for deterrent penalties.
Following the incident, teams from the District Police Department’s Crime Prevention and Investigation Bureau detained the dog’s owner, Sedat E., and his friend Mümin K., who had been walking the dog. Both suspects were released on judicial control conditions after their statements were taken.
The owner of the dog, Sedat E., claimed that the dog was tied up on the roof of his house at the time of the attack, but his friend Mümin K. had untied it to take it for a walk. These claims are being thoroughly investigated by the police. Meanwhile, municipal teams took the dog to a shelter under security measures after the attack.
Grandfather Ahmet Yüksel and his family are determined to pursue their legal rights following the event. “We are not asking for severe punishments, but measures must be taken to prevent such dangerous animals from being irresponsibly walked in the streets,” Yüksel stated. The family’s lawyer plans to initiate more severe legal proceedings against the dog’s owner and the person allegedly responsible in the coming days.
This incident has sparked significant outrage in Adana and its surroundings. The community is demanding stricter regulations on the uncontrolled walking of dog breeds classified as dangerous. Citizens want all necessary measures taken to ensure that children and adults can walk the streets in peace.
A.U.’s family is now focused on their child’s health condition and future medical needs. Young A.U. will be taken to the hospital regularly for check-ups in the coming days. The family’s priority is to ensure the child’s physical recovery as well as overcoming the traumatic experience to return to their normal lives.
In response to this incident, authorities and community leaders are intensifying their work on new regulations and education programs regarding pet ownership and control. The unfortunate dog attack in Adana appears to have accelerated efforts to create a safer community.