COMPLAINT ABOUT MASS KILLINGS OF DOGS IN A 'NO KILL' SHELTER - IN ONE DAY ALONE, 40 DOGS EUTHANISED - POLICE INVESTIGATING - Filenews 27/2 by Christina Karakondylou
A municipal councillor of Paphos has made public a complaint made by a volunteer, claiming that dozens of dogs were illegally killed in a private shelter in the area. The Paphos Police Department confirms that an investigation is underway.
Kyriakos Savva, who says he revealed the case through his own research, made the complaint public on social media.
According to a news report published in in-cyprus.philenews.com, dogs were killed on at least five separate occasions from the end of January to mid-February 2026: on January 27, February 1, February 7, February 10 and February 16. On February 16 alone, according to him, 40 dogs were killed.
The incident of February 1 is reportedly confirmed by an eyewitness.
The complaint was submitted by a former volunteer of the shelter and was shared with the Cyprus Police, the Office of the Commissioner for Environment and Animal Welfare, as well as political and organized bodies.
As Mr. Savva states, serious questions arise about whether the animals were indeed incurable or dangerous as required by law, whether the euthanasia was carried out by a registered veterinarian, and whether the legal procedures and relevant protocols were followed.
The complaint also questions whether the public has been misled, given that the shelter is presented as a "no-kill" facility.
There are also reports that some of the alleged killings took place outside the shelter's opening hours.
The assistant police director of Paphos, Michalis Nikolaou, confirmed to "Fileleftheros" that a complaint was made and that the case was assigned to members of the animal abuse sector of the Police.
Mr. Savva called on the Police to immediately proceed with a full criminal investigation, the Veterinary Services to give clear public answers without delay and the competent authorities to ensure the protection of the animals still in the shelter.
"The questions are simple and require answers," he wrote. "Who controls these shelters? Who ensures that the legislation is respected? Why is there silence on such a serious issue?"
Savva pleaded with the public not to stop donating food, medical supplies or other assistance to the shelter, emphasizing that the animals still depend on this support.
His concerns, he said, are about transparency and accountability at the leadership level — not the volunteers or animals housed there.
