Metin Külünk, a lawmaker from the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, presented a bill to Parliament on Friday calling for prison sentences for those convicted of torturing animals.

Currently, crimes against animals are punished with fines. Animal rights activists have long criticized the existing laws allowing those who torture and kill animals to get away with lenient fines.

The bill asks for prison sentences up to five years for those involved in serious crimes against animals.

Other articles of the bill call for fines for those who abandon animals in places unsuitable for their survival.

Those experimenting on animals without permission will also be fined.

The bill also calls for increased fines for those involved in animal fights and the illegal animal trade.

Turkey had introduced several laws and regulations in recent years to protect animal welfare, including a ban on animal testing for cosmetics and restrictions on pet shops.