Reports of animal abuse in Cyprus have increased significantly in recent years, according to police data, though officials suggest this may reflect greater public awareness rather than a rise in actual incidents.
Nicoletta Tyrimou, spokesperson for the Crime Prevention Office at Police Headquarters, which oversees the Animal Police, told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that 150 reports of animal abuse were filed in 2024, compared to 90 in 2023.
Since the Animal Police unit was established in 2021, there has been an approximate 30 per cent increase in reported cases, Tyrimou noted.
“We’re seeing that society has become more sensitised to this issue, reflected both in the increase of animal welfare organisations and greater citizen mobilisation,” she said, adding that people no longer hesitate to report abuse when they witness it.
Challenges in investigation
The investigation of animal abuse cases presents significant challenges, primarily due to the lack of direct and reliable testimonies, according to Tyrimou.
“In many cases, incidents occur without eyewitnesses, while the victims—the animals—cannot testify or identify the perpetrator,” she explained, noting that this makes collecting evidence to support criminal prosecution particularly difficult.
Effective investigation requires specialised knowledge and coordination between police, animal welfare organisations, and veterinary services, she added, emphasising that sufficient evidence is needed for cases to be brought before the courts.
Public cooperation vital
Tyrimou described cooperation between police and citizens as crucial, stating that the public serves as “the eyes and ears of society” by providing valuable information that allows police to intervene promptly and investigate incidents.
“Increasing public pressure also leads to improvement in the social framework, with stricter penalties for offenders,” she added.
Public education remains a key objective for the police, Tyrimou said, noting that preventive measures can deter illegal behaviours. “We try our utmost to conduct informational campaigns in organised groups, schools, and generally wherever we’re invited”.
Penalties and legislation
Current penalties for animal-related offences are substantial, Tyrimou noted, with an amendment bill before Parliament that would increase some penalties to make them more deterrent.
Specific offences carry financial penalties, including €200 for owning a dog without a licence, €200 for lacking identification and registration, and fines for failing to report a dog’s loss or theft within two working days.
Animal shelters and stray dogs
Animal shelters across Cyprus are overcrowded, Tyrimou said, noting that management of these facilities falls under the responsibility of municipal and community authorities.
“Unfortunately, in Cyprus, the management of stray dogs is somewhat unclear, and often community authorities don’t take responsibility for solving the problem, allowing the situation to worsen,” she observed.
Reducing the number of stray animals begins with responsible pet ownership, she emphasised, with owners ensuring their animals’ welfare, identification, and sterilisation. Local authorities should enforce dog legislation to reduce the flow of strays.
The government has allocated €1.5 million to support local authorities in creating regional facilities for temporarily housing stray dogs, along with €40,000 for animal welfare organisations.
“Animal welfare is a major issue that doesn’t concern only the police,” Tyrimou concluded.
“It requires collective work through cooperation among all stakeholders—municipalities, community councils, veterinary services—and also involves citizens themselves, because owning an animal means having responsibilities”.
The Animal Police unit, established by legislation passed in Parliament in 2021, currently consists of 15 members serving across all districts of Cyprus.
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(information from CNA)
