Joint operations to combat the illegal training of hunting dogs in protected areas have been carried out since January by the Police and the Environment Department of the British Bases.
The operations are focused on areas in Akrotiri, Episkopi and Paramali, where Special Protection Zones are located. The training of hunting dogs within these areas is prohibited under the Game and Wild Birds Law, as these are important habitats in Cyprus for migratory species and species that breed in the area.
British Bases Senior Environment Officer Alexia Perdiou said many of these species nest on the ground or in low vegetation and are particularly vulnerable to nuisance.
"Although enforcement efforts are focused on the most sensitive protected areas, the public is reminded that the training of hunting dogs is prohibited throughout the territory of the BB and extrajudicial fines are imposed," she noted.
According to her, the training of hunting dogs can have particularly serious consequences, as dogs that move within natural habitats may disturb breeding birds, causing their nests to be abandoned and leaving eggs and chicks exposed to predators.
"Repeated disturbance can eventually force birds to completely abandon important nesting areas," added Alexia Perdiou, underlining that the situation is of particular concern in the months following the end of the hunting season, when the training of hunting dogs often coincides with the nesting season of many species of wild birds.
The Lieutenant of the British Bases, Antonis Dimitriou, said that violators are subject to an out-of-court fine of €300 or, if convicted, face a prison sentence of up to two years or a fine of up to €3.417 or both.
"Drones and other specialized equipment are being used to control large areas of natural habitats affected by illegal activity and we will continue our joint operations, while urging hunters to avoid training dogs in these areas in order to protect important bird species and their habitats," he added.
British Bases invites the public to report any illegal dog training activity to the Base Police, number 1443.
