The Movement of Ecologists – Citizens’ Cooperation called on the government to draw up a national plan to prevent and manage the problem of stray animals, after dogs were hit by vehicles in Kornos, Kofinou and Anglisides.
The party also called on the government and the relevant state services to set up and maintain a register of pet owners, with regular checks and updates, and to check microchips systematically so that registered animals can be traced to their owners. It wants strict inspections and penalties for abandoning animals, organised and adequately funded neutering programmes, and more support for shelters and care programmes for strays.
Advising drivers to slow down is not enough, the Ecologists said, calling for real preventive measures, strict enforcement of the law and genuine political will.
The party said the incidents once again highlighted the serious problem of animal abandonment in Cyprus. Animals are acquired without the necessary sense of responsibility and abandoned when they are no longer wanted, leaving them exposed to hunger, disease, abuse and the risk of being killed by passing traffic, it said. It blamed a culture of abandonment, irresponsible ownership and an inadequate response from the authorities.
Stray animals on the road network, especially on motorways, also pose a serious road safety risk to both the animals and unsuspecting drivers, the party said. It added that the burden should not keep falling on volunteers.
“Stray animals are not the problem. They are the victims of human indifference,” said Anthi Mouzouri, coordinator of the party’s Animal Action Group.
