Filenews 17 April 2024
The Green Movement makes a complaint about dead kittens, and 20 lost cats that were fed by animal lovers in the village of Maroni.
A dog and hedgehogs were found dead. It is appalling and horrifying by what all points to mass poisoning of animals in the village of Maroni in Larnaka district."
According to the Green Movement, the horrific incident was reported at the local police station on Saturday by sensitive citizens. According to citizens, the police did not apply the procedures regarding the investigation of the complaint of killing – poisoning animals.
The announcement in its entirety
Since last week, it seems that dead kittens are constantly found, and the fate of another 20 cats fed by animal lovers in the village of Maroni is unknown. Also found dead was a dog and hedgehogs.
The horrific incident was reported to the local police station on Saturday by sensitive citizens. According to citizens, the police did not apply the procedures regarding the investigation of the complaint of killing and poisoning animals.
All animals found in the area had to be handed over for necropsy, but the police collected and took only the dog for necropsy, with the excuse that the other animals were strays, which is completely unacceptable.
Animal welfare legislation covers all animals, not just those that have an owner. The police urged the community to call in to collect the kittens. The citizens also consider that the whole affair was negligent and that no written complaint was allowed. Extremely worrying is the possibility that if it is indeed a case of poisoning, then there is someone in the community who possesses an illegal dangerous substance and can use it again, something that the police should have been alarmed about at the same time and identify the culprit.
It is noted that citizens had initially contacted the mobile phone of the animal police of the Larnaca District without response. We bring back again the issue of animal police and the inability to respond effectively to society's demand for the protection of animals and the punishment of those who abuse animals as there is understaffing or its members often deal with other duties.
We call for the creation of an independent body with its own staff, equipment, to be fully versed in the law and to show the necessary zeal in solving cases, as well as bringing the guilty to justice.
These unacceptable criminal behaviour towards animals will no longer be tolerated by society. We call for the incident to be investigated and for an effort to be made to find the culprit. We also ask the Police Leadership to investigate how the case was handled by the police.
The coordinator of the movement's animal action group, Mrs. Anthi Mouzouri, stressed "we are living in 2024 and there are unfortunately daily crimes against animals. When will we finally respect animals? When will there be the zeal from the Competent Authorities to implement the legislation and procedures to punish the guilty????
Unfortunately, in Cyprus in 2024 there is a lot of work to be done in order to be called a civilized people."
