Cyprus’s green party has called for immediate enforcement of animal welfare laws as low temperatures raise concerns about pets kept outdoors.
The Movement of Ecologists – Citizens’ Cooperation warned Monday that many animals are being kept in “deplorable cages” or chained on balconies and rooftops during the current cold snap, constituting a criminal offence under law.
“We are living in 2024, yet animal welfare in Cyprus is virtually non-existent”, said Anthi Mouzouri, coordinator of the party’s Animal Action Group. “Daily reports of animal abuse and hundreds of abandoned dogs reveal the system’s failure”.
The environmentalist party has appealed to President Nikos Christodoulides, the Justice and Agriculture Ministers, and the Commissioner for the Environment and Animal Welfare to issue strict directives for law enforcement, which provides for fines and imprisonment for offenders.
Animal welfare organisations are considering mass mobilisation in response to what the Green Party described as “an untenable situation”. Current legislation mandates proper shelter and care for animals, in line with the Five Internationally Recognised Animal Freedoms.
The party’s statement highlighted a surge in complaints to veterinary services and police about animal mistreatment, criticising authorities for merely issuing warnings rather than implementing existing penalties.
“The current approach of seeking compliance is insufficient”, the statement read. “We demand immediate enforcement of legislation providing for fines, imprisonment, or both, along with guarantees for the seizure and rescue of abused animals”.
Cyprus has faced criticism over its handling of animal welfare issues, with activists arguing that despite having appropriate legislation in place, enforcement remains weak.
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