Animal abuse figures in Cyprus remain worrying, with 286 cases of abuse or mistreatment recorded from 2021 to early October 2025, according to data obtained by philenews.
Despite repeated complaints and appeals from animal welfare organisations, enforcement of legislation remains inadequate, with volunteers shouldering the entire burden of animal protection.
The data show 66 cases in 2021, 62 in 2022, 76 in 2023, 59 in 2024, and 23 so far in 2025.
During this period, there were 18 offences for harm to animals, 46 cases of administering poison, 11 cases of causing animals to suffer horrific deaths, four cases of killing animals for entertainment or target practice, one case of using animals in exhibitions or advertisements causing pain or injury, three cases of animal torture, and 203 charges for other offences under the Animal Protection and Welfare Law.
Animal welfare groups have accused authorities of indifference and inaction, stressing that “complaints are many, but absolutely nothing is done”.
Natasa Michaelidou, president of the non-profit organisation Simba Animal Aid, told philenews that legislation passed in Cyprus for animal protection and welfare is not being enforced.
“I have an animal welfare organisation and for years I’ve sent dozens of letters and complaints without any response. Only once was a dog seized in Latsi,” she said.
She added that she has never managed to get a dog after a seizure. “They simply give the owner a warning. Complaints are many, but absolutely nothing is done”.
Michaelidou referred to changes being promoted by parliament to legislation, noting that a proposal on cage specifications was not accepted. “They always find an excuse that animal welfare groups don’t agree. They didn’t proceed because of the hunters,” she said.
She explained that some animal welfare groups disagree with cage specifications because they essentially accept animal captivity.
“Some other groups, like ours, say we don’t agree with keeping animals captive in cages, but because Cyprus is full of cages, we accepted specifications such as dimensions, cleanliness and others,” she said.
The proposal was not approved because many hunters would be forced to rebuild their cages, she added.
“They put them in storage rooms and euthanise them”
The Simba Animal Aid president also addressed the issue of animal euthanasia. As she explained, municipalities are entitled to euthanise healthy animals within 15 days if no owner is found.
“Apart from the large municipalities, no others have temporary holding cages as required by law. They put them in storage rooms and euthanise them,” she stressed.
She added that the Environment Committee chairman, Charalambos Theopemptou, submitted a proposal to stop euthanasia, but municipalities did not accept it.
“Nothing will change unless European legislation is implemented,” she stressed.
She also said that according to estimates, there are approximately 250,000 stray dogs in Cyprus, whilst euthanasia reaches 40,000 to 50,000 annually. “The competent authorities don’t even know how many shelters exist in Cyprus,” she noted.
She said euthanising animals is not the solution. Municipalities, as the law stipulates, should have temporary holding facilities and cooperate with animal welfare organisations. “They’ve left all the responsibility to volunteers,” she concluded.
The contentious bill
The Parliamentary Environment Committee aims to pass the Dogs Law before Christmas. Committee chairman Charalambos Theopemptou told philenews that amendments to the bill have been completed.
“Procedurally, the bill will be put up again for discussion and statements in the committee. Subsequently, MPs will have two weeks for any comments, and then it will go to the plenary,” he noted.
Asked about the issue of animal euthanasia, he made clear that the law will not include provision for euthanasia, a practice followed by some municipalities within 15 days of finding a stray dog.
Regarding cage specifications, he said these are regulated through regulations and that he expects the government to submit them to parliament for approval.
