The torturing and killing of a puppy has shifted the political agenda in Turkey ahead of its general election.

Turkish police arrested a man after shocking images emerged online of themaimed animal, which had its four paws and tail cut off, sparking outrage in the country.The dog was found in a forest in the Sapanca district in the northwestern province of Sakarya and taken to a vet for treatment, but later died during surgery on Friday after fighting for its life for two days.The issue has been taken up by rival politicians in the close run contest, in which the country's strongman president is standing on a platform thatwould see his powers enhanced.
President Tayyip Erdogan told an election rally in Istanbul on Sunday thatanimal rights laws would be amended if he is re-elected.He said police had detained a construction machine operator on Saturday in relation to the puppy's death, adding: "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," he said.But Iyi Party leader and presidential candidate Meral Aksener appeared to suggest it was under Mr Erdogan's leadership - first as prime minister and later as president - that the conditions in which the puppy was abused had emerged.