Filenews 13 January 2024 - by Angelos Nicolaou
Kittens have been locked in cages and in poor condition in violation of the law in an area of the municipality of Strovolos for almost two months and despite complaints, Police, Veterinary Services and the competent Municipality do not seem to have the desired result. The permanent detention of cats in cages violates the law, while the animals are suffering, frightened and beating against the fence at the risk of injury.
According to information provided by "F", both the Police and the Veterinary Services are investigating this case and after continuous suggestions for compliance without result, they will proceed with the implementation of the legislation. Relevant instructions were given by the Ministries of Justice and Public Order and Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment. The Ministry of Justice is awaiting information on the results of the actions by the Police, and the Ministry of Agriculture by the Veterinary Services. They are essentially examining whether it constitutes animal cruelty in violation of the Protection and Welfare of Animals Law. A report will then be prepared and the process will proceed through legislation. For its part, the Municipality of Strovolos has filed a complaint against this person for the construction of premises without the necessary planning permission.
It is noted that after a fine is imposed as provided by law, in case of non-compliance it will be taken to court and at the same time the illegal cages will be immediately destroyed.
According to the information put before the competent services, a total of eight kittens are kept in two separate cages and cry constantly. It is noted that the owner who has built the cages claims to have the kittens imprisoned because he fears that if he releases them they will be hit by cars and therefore his intention is to protect the cats from external dangers.
It is emphasized that many people in the neighbourhood complain about both their annoyance and their sadness when they hear the cats writhing from crying in the cages. In the previous days, the phenomenon was more intense with some of the neighbours waiting for the actions of the competent authorities, either jointly or separately, otherwise as they complain they will be forced to open the cages themselves and release the kittens.
On a recent visit to the area by competent officers, after informing the complainant that they would inspect the area, she had opened the doors of the cages and the kittens were circulating freely.
After informing the complainant about the provisions of the legislation prohibiting the detention of cats in cages, she was asked to leave the doors open until she made openings through which the cats could enter and exit whenever they wanted safely. It was found that cats are locked in the cage most of the day.
According to the complaint, many people living in neighbouring homes are in a difficult psychological state because every night they hear the heartbreaking cry of cats trapped inside the cages, and "their own soul breaks down.
ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS
Implement the legislation
Animal welfare organizations call on those responsible to implement the provisions of the legislation. They should, they note, ensure that "the necessary freedom of movement of the animal must not be permanently or unnecessarily restricted in any way involving pain, suffering or injury." It is obvious that in this case, both animals and people in the area are suffering unnecessarily.
Animal welfare organizations denounce that the person who built the cages and traps the animals inside not only did not open exits for them to move freely, but boldly states that any kittens he finds stray will be locked in the cage he has made.
According to animal welfare organizations, cats are animals that are meant to live freely and not to be locked in cages. Those who keep them in their homes and have them as members of their family, despite restricting in some way the freedom of movement of the animal, provide them with all the comforts and privileges of living with their owners, caresses, hugs, care, medical care, beds and much more that ensure their well-being.
