A 37-year-old migrant has been sentenced to 14 months in prison after being found guilty of animal mistreatment and illegal stay in the Republic, in a case that authorities say underscores the zero-tolerance approach to animal cruelty in Cyprus legislation. The Famagusta District Court delivered the sentence on Monday following an investigation into a disturbing incident uncovered in May.
The case came to light on 7 May 2025, when police received information about the dismemberment of an animal in a residential parking area in the Famagusta district. Officers who arrived at the scene found the remains of the animal, along with tools used in the act. Veterinary Services later confirmed that the species was a kangaroo.
Further checks revealed that the convicted man had been residing illegally in Cyprus after his asylum application was rejected in 2022.
Authorities described the prison sentence as a strong and unequivocal message that offences of this nature will be met with the full weight of the law. They emphasised that no act of violence against animals is considered minor, and none goes unpunished.
Police- including the dedicated Animal Police Unit- continue to work closely with Veterinary Services to investigate all reports of abuse, illegal possession, or violence against animals. Officials stressed that animal protection is an essential component of public safety and social responsibility.
The public is urged to report any information related to animal mistreatment, contributing to the ongoing effort to prevent and combat animal cruelty cases in Cyprus.
Also read: Kangaroo butchering incident in Deryneia: One arrest
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