Filenews 28 January 2025
Commissioner for the Environment and Animal Welfare, Antonia Theodosiou, expresses deep concern about the escalation of cases of serious abuse, neglect and harm or death to animals.
These incidents are serious violations of current legislation, and highlight the collective responsibility we have as a society and state for the protection of animals.
Below are recent incidents that highlight, once again, the need for immediate and dynamic intervention:
Dog killing in Paphos
On January 9, 2025, a citizen reported that two of his dogs, chipped, were found dead in the Paphos district. Police located the dogs, and after investigations and veterinary examination, it was determined that their deaths were caused by shotgun shooting.
Authorities have arrested a person suspected of fatally wounding the dogs who claimed in a statement that the dogs disturbed birds he breeds. The suspect was brought before the Pafos District Court and charged with illegal transport and use of a shotgun, illegal transport and use of explosives, and causing harm to animals.
Caging of animals in a tank
On January 15, 2025, two stray dogs were trapped in the storage pond for recycled water from tertiary treatment at the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Deftera. A citizen immediately informed the Fire Brigade and the dogs were rescued by EMAK. Shotgun cartridges were found around the tank, and within it a number of dead animals and birds, which indicates the need for immediate intervention to take precautionary safety measures.
Unfortunately, as the Commissioner says, this is not an isolated event, as animals trying to drink water, including wild species such as foxes and hares, have been observed in ponds of water recycled from biological treatment in the past.
It is important, he adds, that fencing around open lakes/reservoirs is adequate and maintained frequently, because these pose a potential danger to all fauna, but also to humans. The construction of fencing, its insurance, the installation of an alarm system, the systematic and frequent supervision of these tanks by the competent authorities, are measures to reduce the chances of animals entering them while, at the same time, preventing any activity of unauthorized persons in the area.
According to the Commissioner, following the incident, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment has launched actions for the final solution of the problem, by including special conditions in the construction studies of new lakes that include escape methods for animals that may be trapped, and by adding means of escape to the existing ones.
Dog abuse in Peyia
On January 16, 2025, residents in the community of Kissonerga in the Municipality of Pegeia found a dog in critical condition, wrapped in bags, in a trash can.
The dog, chipped, was immediately taken to a veterinary clinic, where it receives the required care. Police investigations led to the arrest of two people. The first suspect stated that he had lost his dog a year and a half ago, but failed to report it to the Police, as provided by the relevant legislation and will be summoned later to be charged in relation to his non-compliance with the aforementioned provision of the law. The second suspect was arrested on a warrant to facilitate the search and subsequently released without charge. The case is still under investigation. According to the Crime Prevention Bureau of the Police Headquarters, DNA samples have been taken from the bags and scientific results are awaited to identify the perpetrators of this atrocity.
Animal poisoning at the Bases
According to an announcement by the British Bases, four incidents of poisoning foxes and stray dogs were recorded in the last three months in the areas of Akrotiri and Episkopi. In one of the incidents, poisonous baits were found by the dogs of the Game and Fauna Service's Poison Bait Detection Team. The SBA Police is investigating the incidents, while samples have been sent to the General Chemical Laboratory of the Republic for toxicological tests. At the same time, both the Police and the SBA Environment Department have launched intensive campaigns against illegal hunting dog training, while the Game and Fauna Service's Poison Bait Detection Team patrols the areas on a regular basis.
Commissioner: We receive complaints every day
Mrs. Theodosiou emphasizes that the aforementioned incidents, unfortunately, are not isolated. "Every day we receive reports and monitor on social media incidents of animal abuse and neglect, mistreatment and abandonment of a large number of dogs, mainly hounds, and cat poisoning. The competent authorities have a significant responsibility for enforcing the law, but it is not enough to hold the State accountable when these horrific incidents are the result of actions of some citizens who consciously flout the law, humanity and respect for life. The people who commit such acts are first and foremost responsible. As a society and as individuals, we have an even greater obligation to act."
The Commissioner calls on citizens to report incidents of abuse by providing documented information, following the prescribed procedures and addressing the competent Authorities, the Animal Police, the Veterinary Services, and the relevant Municipal and Community Authorities, which are responsible for dealing with these issues. Furthermore, it stresses that citizens' knowledge and understanding of legislation on the treatment of animals in general, and dogs in particular, is an essential tool for proper animal management.
"Additional immediate strategies and measures are needed''.
Mrs. Theodosiou notes that what is essentially necessary is prevention.
"The Office will continue to study and propose measures, assisting the competent Services and stakeholders, with the aim of enhancing the protection and welfare of animals, while monitoring the effective implementation of the legislation by the competent authorities, within the framework of its responsibilities," he adds.
Soon, he continues, the completion of the revision of the Dogs Law by the House of Representatives is expected for the more effective regulation of issues of management, care, possession and welfare.
The Office of Mrs. "Dr. Theodosiou "conducts a series of contacts with the Veterinary Services, the Game and Fauna Service, the Pancyprian Veterinary Association, the Local Authorities, and Animal Welfare Organizations, recording views and identifying gaps, in order to develop further policy proposals and practices that will contribute to the proper management of companion animals. However, considering the escalation of such incidents, it is clear that additional immediate strategies and measures are needed. These measures will aim, inter alia, at ensuring effective enforcement of the legislation, strengthening monitoring mechanisms, at speeding up the sentencing procedures set out in the legislation, and at preventing similar incidents."
At the same time, he continues, "the support of the Local Authorities in their work is required. Particular emphasis should be placed on the immediate implementation of universal marking and licensing of animals, as well as regular monitoring of owners' compliance."
In addition, the plan to neuter all stray cats must be implemented with a clear timetable, [and consideration given to extending it to dogs] in order to drastically reduce the number of stray cats. At the same time, he concludes, "an issue on which our Office has taken initiatives is the regional temporary storage areas for stray dogs, in order to ensure the acceleration of procedures and synergies for their creation".
