Paphos protesters demand tougher enforcement of animal protection laws and more inspectors

Paphos, Cyprus. Animal rights activists and local residents gathered at Kato Paphos harbour on Sunday to press for firmer enforcement of animal protection legislation and for additional personnel in the services that deal with abuse and poisoning cases.

Organisers and slogan

The demonstration took place under the slogan “United for Animals – Our Voice is our Strength”. It was organised by Animal Supporters Cyprus together with the Animals Party.

Related: Animal rights activists to rally at Paphos harbour on Sunday over animal abuse

RelatedAnimal rights activists to rally at Paphos harbour on Sunday over animal abuse

Call for more inspectors

Kyriakos Kyriakou, president of the Cyprus Animal Party, said the situation had deteriorated. He urged that the relevant services receive enough staff and inspectors to conduct effective checks and to step in without delay when abuse or poisoning occurs.

He said that appointing people to posts merely to hold a title “leads nowhere”, adding that real action was required rather than the formal presence of officials.

Role of volunteers

Kyriakou also addressed the part played by volunteers. He said that people who devote their own time and money to caring for animals cannot take over duties that belong to the state.

Growing international involvement

Sylvia Gascou, a representative of Animal Supporters Cyprus, was born in Hungary and has lived in Cyprus for 28 years. She said people of other nationalities, among them Germans, Italians and British residents, were now taking part in the campaign.

Gascou also voiced concern that, although a number of laws are in place to protect animals, some of them are dormant and are not applied in practice.

Message of the protest

Organisers and participants said the rally aimed to show that animal protection depends on cooperation, effective application of the law, stricter penalties and stronger competent services. They said their goal was for animal welfare to go beyond legislation on paper and be carried out in practice.