Public opinion and organized groups (animal welfare organizations, hunters) are in a state of intense concern after the recent adoption of the new amending legislation for the "Dogs Law" and their publication in the Official Gazette of the Republic on 8/4/2026, but also the amendments made a month later by the Parliament on 12/5/2026.
However, due to the conflicting opinions, positive and negative comments, it is now clear that the State must immediately revisit the bill in its entirety, as the latest changes do not seem to limit the outbreak of dog abandonment, nor to contribute to the reduction of unwanted births.
The decision to transfer the mandatory marking of dogs to 6 months, instead of the 2 months that was previously in force, which deprives the possibility of timely control during the critical weaning period, makes a particularly negative impression. With the publication of the law on 8/4/2026 proposed by the government, all dogs that are adopted are marked, in order to prevent their abandonment and to impose measures otherwise, by finding their owner. At the same time, the mandatory registration of all dogs over two months old in the relevant register of the Veterinary Services and Local Government Authorities was included.
However, on 12/05/2026, two additional amending bills were published in the Official Gazette of the Government, which were sent for suggestions as law proposals, received a referral recommendation from the government, taking into account that with these proposed bills there would be a deviation from the basic principles for which the first amending bill had been drawn up. The motion for referral was rejected by the House of Representatives and then the bills were published.
In this context, according to information from "F", the government, implementing its policy for animal welfare, has already launched the evaluation and preparation of a new amending bill, with the aim of regulating the issue more efficiently, reminding, at the same time, the urgent need for responsible possession, sterilization and definitive elimination of abandonment.
Specifically, the government, in the context of the implementation of policy 7 on animal welfare and with the aim of reducing stray animals, through the prevention of unwanted births, uncontrolled reproduction and abandonment, is evaluating the drafting of a new amending bill for the more efficient regulation of what has been passed to date.
The process for the amendment of the "Dogs Law of 2002", the supervision and implementation of which lies with the Local Government Authorities, has been long and turbulent. The process was initiated by the Ministry of the Interior in 2012. In 2015, following disagreements during the debate in Parliament, the parliamentary committee on the Environment returned the bill to the Ministry for incorporation of suggestions and further study by the Legal Service and the Veterinary Services.
In March 2017, the Council of Ministers approved a new bill. However, on 3 May 2017, the Environment Committee considered the consultation to be insufficient and gave instructions for a new round of contacts coordinated by the Commissioner for Voluntary Affairs and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
The Veterinary Services then proceeded to a formal written consultation with all relevant Authorities involved, including Local Government Authorities, Union of Municipalities, Union of Communities, District Animal Welfare Committees, Pancyprian Veterinary Association, Veterinary Council, hunters' groups and animal welfare organizations, with the aim of converging views. The final government amending bill was submitted to the House of Representatives in 2022 by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.
The proposed legislation on the part of the government aimed to address two main issues:
1. The complete and clear separation of responsibilities, in order to dispel any confusion or misinterpretation and to ensure the unhindered application of the law.
2. The introduction of procedures for the out-of-court settlement of offenses, which would act as a penalty but also as a deterrent factor, promoting responsible possession and reducing the huge problem of strays that plagues the country.
What does the law proposed by the government provide?
After four years of discussions, the "Dogs (Amendment) Law of 2026" (Law 56(I)/2026) was published in the Official Journal on 08/04/2026. The main changes it brought about included:
• Euthanasia ban: The euthanasia of healthy dogs is prohibited, except in special cases of health or danger (Article 15).
• Assistance dogs: Full safeguarding of the institution and the access rights of the persons who use them (articles 2, 3 and 13).
• Marking at 2 months: Compulsory registration of dogs over two months old, an age recommended by experts as the most suitable for weaning and adoption, in order to prevent abandonment (article 5).
• Declaration of death: Obligation to declare within 7 working days with a veterinarian's certificate (article 5).
• Collar and leash: Mandatory use of a collar with a metal element tile (Article 8) and mandatory leash in public places to enhance public safety (Article 9).
• Collection of faeces: Obligation of the escort to clean public spaces (article 9).
• Out-of-court fines: Strengthening the powers of local authorities to impose modernised fines (Articles 17–22).
• Vulnerable groups and assistance dogs: Exemption from the annual registration fee for assistance dogs and for a neutered dog of a low-income pensioner.
• Dangerous breeds: Maintaining special status (Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro) and their crossbreeds, with compulsory liability insurance and enhanced containment measures.
• Differentiation of registration fees: The fee for neutered dogs has been increased from €20.50 to €24, while for non-neutered dogs it has skyrocketed to €120 with the clear aim of preventing unwanted births. Fees for dangerous breeds (neutered) have been increased from €170 to €240.
• Breeding fees: Increased for marketing purposes from €83.14 to €200 per litter and for other purposes from €33.25 to €100.
The overthrow of the government law with the proposals of the Parliament
The legislative balance was soon upset when on 12/05/2026 two new amending bills (No. 2 and No. 3) were published, which came from legislative proposals of the Parliament. The government had proposed their referral, warning that they cause a dangerous deviation from the basic principles of the original plan, but the Parliament rejected the referral.
1. Law 118(I)/2026 (Amending No. 2) brought about the following changes:
• Restoration of marking to 6 months: The 2-month provision has been overturned, a fact that is strongly criticized as it makes it difficult to limit abandonment.
• Abolition of fee differentiation: Restoration of the single fee to €20.50 for neutered and non-neutered dogs, and to €170 for dangerous breeds.
• Removal of responsibilities: The role of local authorities is now limited only to recording and transmitting information. Trapping and collection is transferred to central authorized services (Veterinary Services, authorized workshops, Police).
• Abolition of out-of-court fines: The procedure for imposing out-of-court fines is completely deleted.
• Possibility of killing: The Police and the Game and Fauna Service are given the opportunity to kill stray animals at their discretion, if immediate and uncontrolled damage to wildlife or livestock is found.
• Reduction of breeding fees: Reduced from €200 to €85 for marketing and from €100 to €35 for other purposes per birth.
2. Law 119(I)/2026 (Amending No. 3) introduced:
• Special category of hunting dogs: With an annual fee of €24 per dog up to 4 dogs, provided that you have a hunting license and register on the platform of the Game Service, without differentiation for the sterilization regime.
• Modification of general fees: It provides for fees of €24 for neutered people, €120 for non-neutered people and €240 for dangerous breeds.
