Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus’ Animal Party will stage a demonstration on Saturday at 11am outside parliament, currently dissolved ahead of the May 24 elections, to protest recent amendments to the law on dogs.
Protest planned outside parliament
The Animal Party said the amendments met demands put forward by hunters’ associations. It condemned what it described as the “criminal indifference” of local authorities and parliament, accusing them of placing political party interests above the interests of the country.
Claims about abandoned dogs and law enforcement
The party said it took 10 years of discussions at the House environment committee with all involved services to reach what it called necessary amendments to the law on dogs that are binding for dog owners. It said the amendments set out clear obligations for ownership and breeding, with the aim of combatting dog dumping.
It said thousands of dogs are abandoned every year and fewer than 15,000 are adopted, end up in shelters or are sent abroad. The party said the remainder die of hunger or are shot or poisoned, calling this a crime against animals and citing effects on public health and safety, the economy, tourism, society and civilisation.
The Animal Party said the 2002 law on dogs had not been implemented by local authorities, describing their indifference as criminal and alleging that local authorities behave as if they are a separate state on the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.
Warning and call to join
Referring to the recent amendments, the party said they were made on the basis of party interests rather than the interests of Cyprus and warned that the situation would remain out of hand. It called on those who love animals and Cyprus and oppose abuse and abandonment to join the protest with their dogs and placards.
Will you join the Animal Party’s demonstration outside parliament on Saturday?
