Nicosia, Cyprus. Animal welfare commissioner Antonia Theodosiou said on Thursday that Cyprus lacks legislation regulating the treatment of animals after their death, complicating law enforcement in cases of disrespectful treatment.
She called such behaviour “a reprehensible act” and pointed to a legislative gap that she said should be addressed.
Call for legal framework
Theodosiou said the treatment of animals after death should align with the principles of a modern society, adding that respect for nature and wildlife reflects morality, education and collective conscientiousness.
She said there is a need to examine the possible criminalisation of such acts based on existing regulations in the EU’s and other national legal systems.
Sea turtle case in Chlorakas
The commissioner’s remarks came three weeks after video footage appeared on social media showing four men kicking and hurling a sea turtle at a beach in Chlorakas.
The men were later identified as employees of the Chlorakas village council, aged 22, 27, 47 and 58, and were arrested at their workplace.
They were charged in writing with public nuisance offences and released pending a court summons the day after they were apprehended.
Disciplinary investigation and fisheries protocol
The west Paphos community complex, as the legal employer of the workers, appointed two officers to conduct a disciplinary investigation into the alleged offences.
Theodosiou referred to a protocol established by the fisheries department regulating the management of injured or deceased sea turtles, which requires the department to be notified immediately if an animal is found dead or injured.
What measures do you think should be introduced to address the treatment of animals after death?
