Filenews 3 March 2022 - by Natasha Christoforou
Voices are growing for the creation of a small animal cemetery in Cyprus, with the ball now in parliament, which is called upon to regulate the issue by law. The issue has long been registered with the House Interior Committee and at the initiative of the Democratic Party, efforts are being made to expedite its discussion. The issue was highlighted in a recent report by "F", presenting the citizens' request for the creation of an animal cemetery in Larnaca. As stated by the Mayor of Larnaka, Andreas Vyras, without legislation, a small animal cemetery cannot operate, as is the case in most EU countries.
In a statement, DIPA said that the issue is important and does not concern only Larnaca but the whole of Cyprus. "Its resolution will be a clear sign of our country's culture and respect for animals. The mayor of Larnaka rightly said in this regard, that there is currently no legislative framework for the creation of a small animal cemetery.
As noted, in Greece the issue has been regulated by law since the 1980s, and there are incinerators and pet cemeteries, most of which are private. "Our enormous sensitivity to similar issues must be taken for granted. We consider it the duty of the State to create a cemetery of small animals, so that at last pets are buried with dignity and their uncontrolled burial stops", adds DIPA.
It is noted that on social media, the group "Pet Cemetery in Cyprus" was created, aiming to exert pressure on the state to initiate the procedures of creating the animal cemetery, in order to stop the uncontrolled burial. The request for the creation of a public pet cemetery in Larnaka was submitted three years ago by the journalist Stratoula Tramoudani, notifying it to the Parliament and the political parties.
