Stray dogs in Cyprus are being euthanised, the Ecologists Movement – Citizens’ Cooperation noted in an announcement on Wednesday.
It said that after seeing a recent social media declaration concerning a stray dog’s potential euthanasia within a legally mandated 15-day timeframe by the Municipality of Polis Chrysochous, members of the movement intervened, contacting the municipality for clarification.
In response, municipal representatives reassured the group that no dog is subjected to euthanasia, suggesting that the original post was a procedural nod to existing legislation rather than an active policy, the movement added.
“In 2024, it’s unacceptable for stray dogs to be sacrificed and killed simply because the state still fails to find ways to protect their welfare and security,” Anthi Mouzouri the coordinator of the Animal Action Group of the party stated.
They argue that the current system unjustly penalises animals for the failings of their human counterparts, particularly those who abandon their pets and the lack of state infrastructure to care for these animals.
The revelation that many municipalities and communities lack proper temporary shelter facilities for stray dogs, as mandated by law, opting instead for services from private entities that may engage in euthanasia, has added fuel to the fire, the party stressed.
In its announcement, the Ecologists Movement – Citizens’ Cooperation questioned the oversight and legality of these operations, casting doubt on their compliance with animal welfare standards.
The party proposes a radical overhaul of the current system, including establishing an Independent Authority to ensure compliance with the Dogs Law and implementing a nationwide dog identification programme.
“The uncontrolled breeding of dogs must stop. A census of stray dogs in various areas must be conducted, as their fate is unknown,” Mouzouri said.
Furthermore, they call for the creation of provincial shelters to end the reliance on potentially unregulated private facilities and advocate for measures to control the breeding of dogs to prevent future strays.
Concluding, the Ecologists Movement – Citizens’ Cooperation said it will raise the issue before the Parliament to summon municipalities and local authorities to account for their management of stray animals.
They also intend to push for legislative changes to eliminate euthanasia from the legal framework, appealing to other political factions to support their cause.
“We hope that the other parties will support this effort and that we will all stop being complicit in the killing of defenceless dogs so that we can finally look them in the eye,” they said.
