Reports of animal abuse incidents have shown an increasing trend in recent years, Nicoleta Tyrimou, Spokesperson for the Crime Prevention Office of the Cyprus Police Headquarters, which oversees the Animal Police, told CNA.
She also noted that while cases of abuse or animal welfare neglect may have existed before, people are now more sensitive to the issue and do not hesitate to report them.
In 2024, according to Tyrimou, there were 150 reports of animal abuse, while in 2023, there were 90 reports, adding that since the establishment of the Animal Police in 2021, there has been a 30% increase.
When asked about public awareness of the police’s work, Tyrimou said that in recent years, there has been increased public sensitivity to various social issues, such as crime prevention and animal abuse.
She stated that society has become more sensitive, which is reflected in the increase in animal welfare organisations and in greater citizen mobilisation. She also stated that citizens do not hesitate to report incidents of abuse when they perceive them, which contributes to the police’s work.
The Police Spokesperson described the cooperation between the police and citizens as crucial, as, she said, citizens act as “the eyes and ears of society” and provide valuable information that allows the police to intervene promptly and investigate incidents.
Furthermore, the increasing pressure from public opinion leads to improvements in the social framework, with stricter penalties for offenders, she said.
She added that public awareness and education remain a key goal of the police in general, noting that “through preventive actions, we can prevent any deviant behaviors that may occur, and for this reason, we strive to conduct awareness campaigns in organised groups, schools, and generally wherever we are invited”.
When asked how difficult it is to solve such cases, Tyrimou said that uncovering animal abuse cases presents significant challenges mainly due to the lack of immediate and reliable testimonies. In many cases, incidents occur without the presence of eyewitnesses, while the victims, the animals themselves, cannot testify or identify the perpetrator.
This, she continued, makes it particularly difficult to collect evidence that could support a criminal prosecution. Additionally, effective investigation of animal abuse or neglect cases requires specialised knowledge and coordination among the police, animal welfare organisations, and veterinary services, with sufficient evidence needed to ensure that cases can easily be brought to justice.
As a result, she noted, public awareness of the importance of reporting such incidents and enhancing investigative means are crucial factors in addressing this phenomenon.
According to available data from the Animal Police so far, she continued, incidents of animal abuse reported in recent years unfortunately show an increasing trend, adding that this does not mean that the actual cases of animal abuse have increased.
She added that both the police and the Veterinary Services, along with the Ministry of Agriculture, are making targeted efforts to ensure the welfare of animals. She further stated that reporting and punishment are not the ultimate goals, emphasizing that the aim is to cultivate a culture and education so that animals are treated as they deserve.
Tyrimou explained that measures are needed to further enhance protective measures and strengthen the role of the police to ensure that every animal enjoys the care and protection it deserves.
Regarding penalties related to offenses against animals, she said they are quite severe, adding that a bill concerning animals is currently before the Parliament, which will change and increase some penalties to make them more deterrent, so that offenders know that if they are found violating the law and arrested, the fine or penalty will be quite significant.
Specifically, possessing a dog without an ownership license incurs a fine of 200 euros, and failing to have identification and registration in the Registry also results in a 200-euro fine. Failing to inform the relevant authority of the loss or theft of a dog within two working days also incurs a fine. There are, as she explained, many offenses concerning the welfare of animals.
When asked about animal shelters, Tyrimou said that animal shelters are overcrowded and, unfortunately, fall under the jurisdiction of community and municipal authorities. She also noted that the situation with stray dogs and overcrowded shelters is a serious issue that requires immediate attention and action from the authorities as well as society in general. She remarked that, unfortunately, in Cyprus, the management of stray dogs is somewhat unclear, and many times the community authorities do not take responsibility for solving the problem, allowing the situation to worsen.
As she stated, reducing the number of stray animals begins with responsible ownership by the owner, who must ensure the animal’s welfare, identification, and sterilization. She continued that Local Authorities must enforce the Dog Law to reduce the flow of strays.
In other words, she explained, targeted efforts must be made to ensure animal welfare and to verify whether dogs are identified and sterilized.
The State has provided, she said, a grace period for the Local Government Enhancement Plan for the establishment of regional temporary shelters for stray dogs, with a budget of 1,500,000 euros. Additionally, a fund of 40,000 euros is allocated to animal welfare organizations.
‘Animal welfare,’ said Tyrimou ‘is a significant issue that does not concern only the police; it requires collective work to be done in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, including municipalities, community councils, veterinary services, and it also concerns the citizens themselves because owning an animal entails responsibilities.’ She added that it is the duty of all of us to treat animals with respect and care.
The law for the establishment of the special unit in the Cyprus Police, known as the Animal Police, was passed by the Parliament in 2021, Tyrimou said. This unit, she explained, consists of police members who deal with abuse and mistreatment of animals, and its members receive regular training to perform their duties. Currently, there are 15 members in the Animal Police across all provinces.
Also read: Shocking animal abuse in Paphos: Dog dumped in bin
Source: CNA
