Target: President Nikos Christodoulides, Cyprus
Goal: Ensure strict enforcement of existing animal welfare legislation to safeguard animals during extreme weather conditions.
Cyprus’s Green Party, the Movement of Ecologists – Citizens’ Cooperation, has called for urgent action to enforce animal welfare laws as low temperatures raise concerns about pets and stray animals kept outdoors. Reports have emerged of animals being confined in “deplorable cages” or chained on balconies and rooftops during the current cold snap, actions that would constitute criminal offenses under existing laws.
Anthi Mouzouri, coordinator of the party’s Animal Action Group, stated, “We are living in 2024, yet animal welfare in Cyprus is virtually non-existent. Daily reports of animal abuse and hundreds of abandoned dogs reveal the system’s failure.”
The environmentalist party has appealed to President Nikos Christodoulides, along with the Justice and Agriculture Ministers and the Commissioner for the Environment and Animal Welfare, to issue strict directives for law enforcement. They emphasize that current legislation mandates proper shelter and care for animals, in line with the Five Internationally Recognised Animal Freedoms, but enforcement remains weak.
Animal welfare organizations are considering mass mobilization in response to what has been described as “an untenable situation.” Complaints to veterinary services and police about animal mistreatment have surged, with authorities criticized for issuing warnings rather than implementing fines or imprisonment as prescribed by law.
Immediate action is necessary to protect animals from suffering due to neglect, especially during harsh weather conditions. Call for a commitment to humane treatment and prevent unnecessary suffering of animals.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear President Christodoulides,
I am writing to express deep concern over reports that many animals in Cyprus are being kept in deplorable conditions during the current cold snap. Instances of animals confined in inadequate shelters, chained on balconies, or left on rooftops expose them to harsh weather and unnecessary suffering. Such treatment violates existing animal welfare laws designed to protect these vulnerable creatures.
Despite legislation mandating proper shelter and care for animals, enforcement appears lacking, with authorities reportedly issuing warnings rather than applying the penalties of fines or imprisonment. This approach has proven insufficient in preventing ongoing neglect and abuse.
I urge you to take immediate action to ensure the strict enforcement of animal welfare laws in Cyprus. This includes issuing directives to law enforcement agencies to implement existing penalties and to guarantee the rescue and protection of abused animals. By doing so, you will uphold the standards of humane treatment and demonstrate a commitment to addressing this pressing issue.
Protecting animals from neglect and abuse is a legal obligation and a reflection of our society’s values. Please act now to safeguard the well-being of animals during this critical time.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Mark Robinson
