Animal rights protesters gather in Paphos to demand stricter law enforcement

On Sunday, November 1, animal rights activists, volunteers, and residents gathered at Kato Paphos harbour for a protest titled 'United for Animals – Our Voice is our Strength'. The event was organized by Animal Supporters Cyprus and the Animal Party Cyprus to address the persistent issues of animal abuse, including poisoning, shooting, and abandonment, which activists claim occur daily despite existing legislation.

Participants, including many foreign residents from countries such as Germany, Italy, Hungary, and the UK, demanded that the government move beyond the mere presence of officials and ensure zero tolerance toward offenders. Kyriakos Kyriakou, president of the Animal Party Cyprus, argued that existing animal welfare laws, such as Law 46(I)/1994, are often left unimplemented due to a lack of resources. He called for increased staffing and more inspectors to carry out effective oversight and immediate interventions. Furthermore, activists highlighted that volunteers are currently overextended, effectively carrying out state-mandated responsibilities, and urged the government to fulfill its legal duties to provide justice for suffering animals.