The Movement of Ecologists – Citizens’ Cooperation has called for an urgent investigation into complaints that cats were trapped and taken away in Kato Paphos. The incidents include a pregnant cat that reportedly died after being trapped.
The party said in a statement on Wednesday that the case is being investigated by Paphos Animal Police, and it expressed confidence that the unit would get to the bottom of it.
According to the complaint, a pregnant cat that the complainant had been looking after for some time was removed from the area on 4 October. The next day, the same person allegedly trapped and removed two kittens.
The complainant told those involved that the kittens were in his care and asked them not to take the animals. Despite his objections, they allegedly put the kittens in a cage in the boot of their car and drove off at dangerous speed.
The complainant says video footage shows a person trapping the pregnant cat, as well as the animal’s reaction and its attempts to escape from the cage. There is information that the cat died after being trapped.
There is also information that the cats may have been moved to another location to be sent abroad. The complainant says the people who trapped the animals told him this.
The party questioned what authority those involved had acted on and what their purpose was. It is demanding:
the return of the cats to their carer
an investigation into how they were removed
an inquiry into the trapping of the pregnant cat, including whether a criminal offence was committed if her death is confirmed
an inspection of the place where the animals were taken
legal measures to prevent the cats from being sent abroad
accountability for those responsible
“No animal should be subjected to arbitrary actions,” the party said.
It stressed that a single alleged incident should not be used to discredit the thousands of volunteers and animal welfare groups who care for stray animals. This includes those running responsible trap-neuter-return (TNR) programmes.
The use of traps is not in itself evidence of wrongdoing, the party said. What matters is the purpose, legal authorisation, the method used and the care taken for each animal’s safety and welfare.
an investigation into how they were removed
an inquiry into the trapping of the pregnant cat, including whether a criminal offence was committed if her death is confirmed
an inspection of the place where the animals were taken
legal measures to prevent the cats from being sent abroad
accountability for those responsible
“No animal should be subjected to arbitrary actions,” the party said.
It stressed that a single alleged incident should not be used to discredit the thousands of volunteers and animal welfare groups who care for stray animals. This includes those running responsible trap-neuter-return (TNR) programmes.
The use of traps is not in itself evidence of wrongdoing, the party said. What matters is the purpose, legal authorisation, the method used and the care taken for each animal’s safety and welfare.
