In a public statement, the Ecologists Movement criticises the police concerning the killing of cats in Paphos on 13 May.
According to reports circulating on social media, a group of unidentified individuals tortured and killed five cats near the derelict “Land of the Kings” hotel, in the vicinity of the Tombs of the Kings in Paphos.
The Ecologists Movement argues that the police did not follow the correct procedure regarding the killing of the cats, not taking the animals’ bodies for an autopsy.
The party’s statement:
As the Ecologists Movement – Citizens’ Cooperation, we were informed that last weekend in the Tombs of the Kings area in the Paphos Province, there was a mass killing of animals, and all indications point to human intervention!
In communication with the coordinator of the Animal Action Group, Ms. Anthi Mouzouri, and with the volunteers who were feeding the cats, it appears that the correct procedure was not followed by the police to collect the cats and hand them over for autopsy to the Competent Authority in order to conduct an autopsy to clarify the causes of this atrocious act.
We demand that the correct procedure be followed, even now. Namely, that the cats be taken for autopsy and a thorough investigation be conducted to apprehend the perpetrators.
Such barbaric incidents against animals will only stop if these cases are brought before the courts and the law is enforced. Vigilance must be shown, and correct steps and actions must be taken by the Competent Authorities to apprehend the guilty parties.
We remind that for the abuse and/or killing of an animal, the law provides that the offender “in case of a first conviction, is subject to imprisonment for a period not exceeding twelve months or to a fine not exceeding ten thousand euros (€10,000) or to both these penalties, and in case of a second or subsequent conviction, to imprisonment for a period not exceeding twenty-four months or to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand euros (€20,000) or to both these penalties.”
The Coordinator of the Animal Action Group, Ms. Anthi Mouzouri, commenting on the incident, said: “For the umpteenth time, we see – from all indications – another criminal act against animals. The right actions must be taken and the required diligence must be shown by the Competent Authorities in order to apprehend the perpetrators. If the law is not enforced, then we will continue to see abuses and killings of animals in Cyprus in 2024.”
We reiterate our longstanding plea for the Ministry in Charge to provide instructions for strengthening the animal police and the establishment of an independent body with all the necessary resources to truly fight for the protection of animals and the punishment of those who abuse them. The impunity of those who commit crimes against animals has a negative impact on Cypriot society. Society can no longer tolerate the impunity of those who commit crimes against animals,” Ms. Mouzouri concluded.
