Animal rights campaigners and residents gathered at Kato Paphos harbour on Sunday to demand stronger enforcement of animal protection laws, more inspectors and additional staff to tackle cases of animal abuse and poisoning.
The protest, held under the slogan “United for Animals – Our Voice is our Strength”, was organised by Animal Supporters Cyprus and the Animals Party.
Calls for more inspectors and effective enforcement
Kyriakos Kyriakou, president of the Cyprus Animal Party, said the situation had deteriorated and called on the competent authorities to provide their services with enough personnel and inspectors to carry out effective checks and respond immediately to reports of abuse and poisoning.
“Placing people in positions simply to exist as a label, unfortunately, leads nowhere,” he said.
Kyriakou argued that authorities needed to take substantial action rather than simply appoint officials without ensuring they could carry out their responsibilities.
He also highlighted the contribution of volunteers, stressing that people who devote their time and money to caring for animals cannot be expected to assume the responsibilities of the state.
Foreign residents join animal welfare campaign
Sylvia Gascou, a representative of Animal Supporters Cyprus who is originally from Hungary and has lived in Cyprus for 28 years, said people from other nationalities were increasingly joining the campaign.
She referred to the participation of German, Italian and British residents, among others.
Gascou also expressed concern that, despite the existence of several laws intended to protect animals, some were not being activated or properly enforced.
Organisers and participants said the protest aimed to highlight the need for cooperation, effective implementation of legislation, stricter penalties and better-resourced competent services.
Their message was that animal welfare must move beyond legislation on paper and translate into meaningful action.
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