Appeals court upholds conviction of Melios Zoo Park owner for operating without a license

The Nicosia Appeals Court dismissed an appeal by Menelaos Menelaou, the owner of Melios Zoo Park located in Agioi Trimithias, confirming his prior conviction for operating a zoo without a valid license. The operating license expired on September 25, 2017, and was not renewed by the Director of Veterinary Services because the facility failed to meet regulatory requirements. During an inspection on March 11, 2018, authorities found the facility operating under conditions identical to those before the license expiration. In his appeal, Menelaou argued that the prosecution failed to prove the establishment met the legal definition of a zoo, specifically regarding the exhibition of wild animals to the public for seven or more days per year. The Appeals Court judges, M. Ambizas, S. Christodoulou-Messiou, and I. Stylianides, unanimously rejected this argument. The court upheld the lower court's decision, which accepted testimonies confirming the illegal operation. The final judgment was issued on May 18, 2026. This ruling confirms the breach of the Protection and Welfare of Animals Law.