Animal Party condemns authorities over stray dog packs in Cyprus

On Tuesday night, a pack of more than 20 stray dogs originating from the occupied areas and the buffer zone attacked and fatally injured a kitten near Agios Dometios. Local volunteers attempted to intervene by forming a human shield to protect the animal and transported it for veterinary care, but the kitten succumbed to its injuries on Wednesday morning. The incident has reignited concerns regarding public safety in areas such as Strovolos and neighboring communities.

The Animal Party Cyprus has expressed strong indignation, criticizing the lack of coordination among state agencies. According to the party, volunteers who contacted the police during the emergency were referred to local municipalities, leaving citizens to navigate service responsibilities on their own late at night. The party is now calling on the government and local authorities to implement a coordinated action plan to manage these stray packs.

Previous efforts to address the issue remain stalled. The party previously proposed that the Latsia municipality acquire net guns, which would allow for the safe trapping of dogs by trained personnel. Despite initial positive feedback, this proposal has not yet been implemented. The party is urging immediate state intervention, emphasizing that authorities must act before human lives are put at risk.