Animal welfare concerns regarding stray cats at central prisons and mistreated dogs in Limassol

Two separate animal welfare issues have emerged in Cyprus, highlighting concerns over state management and enforcement. In Nicosia, the Animal Party of Cyprus reports that a planned program to neuter approximately 70 cats residing at the central prisons has stalled due to a lack of funding. Despite receiving authorization from the acting prison director and coordinating with veterinary and ministerial authorities, the project awaits a €5,000 allocation. The party has criticized this as bureaucratic inefficiency and has appealed to the President of the Republic to intervene.

Simultaneously, the Movement of Ecologists – Citizens' Cooperation has raised alarm regarding the long-term mistreatment of dogs in the Limassol district. According to allegations supported by photographic and video evidence, several dogs have been kept on a residential rooftop since 2022 under unsanitary conditions. Despite repeated complaints to the Animal Police, veterinary services, and local authorities, the situation remains unresolved. The movement is now calling for urgent state intervention to protect the animals in accordance with existing animal welfare legislation.