Cyprus-Forum.com

[doglover]

Olga, it isn't my fault that you appear to be uneducated, therefore unable to understand the problem at hand. I'm sorry that your parents couldn't afford to send you to a school.

"OFF TOPIC: I don't consider Cyprus as a rosy paradise, I've been here for a long and there have been many different things, good ones and not really. What I don't like is that many people here think that if a Russian comes here he/she is for sure so poor that he/she is happy just to be here."

Although I do agree with you Olga, that too many Cypriots look down on Russian women here, I look down on only you, for your ignorant attitude. My sister-in-law is Russian, and she's very educated. She has a very good job, and is a wonderful person. But anyway... Not only do 'many' Cypriots assume that about Russian women, 'many' also poison cats and dogs. I originally posted on this forum to address the problem of animal cruelty in Cyprus. And you know very well that this means the poisoning of dogs and cats, because I elaborated that in my posts. I didn't start talking about farm animals, until Sotis and Piratis started spewing their philosophical shit about how we're all hypocrits, because we consume meat, but keep pets in our homes. But you jumped in, and started to disagree with everything I said because you're ignorant, and wanted to argue for the sake of it. Only Sotos and Piratis have your back here, because they're just as stupid as you are. So why don't you go and make yourself some 'Borscht' soup, and shut the hell up.

This 'somebody' who told me about the poisoning of dogs and cats every day is the GOVERNMENT VET. I think his name is Papavasilliou. Anyhow, you are more than welcome to call the Paphiakos dog shelter, and they will give you his number so that you are able to call him yourself, and be awakaned to the sad truth that I am trying to instill in all of you. Also feel welcome to ask the Paphiakos shelter if dog and cat poisoning occurs regularly in Cyprus, and they too will enlighten you with the truth. A few weeks ago, not only was my brothers dog poisoned, but also two other dogs on his street. You might also want to call a few vets, and ask them how often people take their dying dogs to them. If this wasn't a huge problem in Cyprus, then the vets wouldn't be urging people to buy antidotes, to save their dogs.

My vet got a group of people together a while ago, and demonstrated how to administer this antidote. How would you feel if your dog was laying on it's side, choking and frothing at the mouth, while you tried to stick a needle in your dogs muscle, but found that you couldn't because you're whole body was shaking uncontrollably from fear of losing your pet at any moment?

You must not mix with 'animal lovers' Olga, if you are so unaware of this problem in Cyprus. Maybe you just get to hang out with the cabaret workers, and chat about other stuff?

Now, if dogs and cats are poisoned regularly here (which the Paphiakos shelter and government vet will confirm to you)... this would mean that there are a LOT, or MANY Cypriots that do it, and not just 'some'.

"I still maintain that cruelty to animals in Cyprus is due to ignorance and not related to sick cruelty to animals as exhibited in European countries." Miltiades, I could not have said that better myself! Sad thing is... Olga won't even read your post, because it contradicts everything she has to say! Again, this just goes to show how uneducated she is.

Piratis, I have no problem with you calling me a bitch, because you mean nothing to me at the end of the day. It only goes to show that you think of women as 'bitches' in general. I am sure you have called your wife a bitch on the odd occasion... like when you are told you are wrong.

Read this news article Olga, taken from the Cyprus mails website:

Vets’ fury at rampant use of poison
By Jacqueline Theodoulou

DISGRUNTLED animal haters’ habit of laying down poison to kill the neighbourhood’s dogs and cats is an all too common phenomenon in Cyprus.

This may be fair enough for those whose ideal world would be one with no animals in it whatsoever. But what about the owners, who have dedicated a large chunk of their lives caring for and loving their canine or feline companion? Because, let’s face it, owning a pet, especially a dog, is a large responsibility. So how heartrending it must be for them to watch their beloved pet deteriorate within seconds and in most cases die right in front of them.

Some would say it was the owners’ fault for allowing their pet to wonder the streets unsupervised. But, according to Elena Christou, Veterinary Assistant at the Zopiros Veterinary Clinic in Strovolos, many have been the occasions where people have actually thrown poison into people’s back yards. In fact, veterinary surgeon and owner of the clinic, Athos Efstathiou, said he had once handled an incident, where poison was thrown into the pet’s cage.

After yesterday watching the 14th dog die in her arms since January alone, Christou has had enough.

She contacted the Mail in the hope that by raising awareness, more animal owners would take heed and be extra careful with their pets.

“Last January 1, seven dogs were brought in due to poisoning. Only one survived. And all these dogs lived in the same neighbourhood.”

The fact that people are throwing poison into gardens is deeply disturbing, she says. “Imagine if a baby found it instead. A child wouldn’t know what it was. Do we have to witness the death of a human before something is done about this?”

For Christou, a devout animal lover, having to deal with such a phenomenon on a regular basis is heartbreaking. “For me, there is no worse experience. You just freeze; you don’t know what to say or do. It is inhumane.”

And how do the owners cope?

“It is so sad to see owners, who have had their dogs for years, watch them die in front of them. And then they have to go home and tell their children.”

Possibly the saddest moment of all, said Christou, is when the owners come in to collect their dog’s collar and lead.

What’s worse for the owners, the dog does not die straight away. “It suffers. It gets to the point where it can’t even recognise its owner.”

Christou wondered how Lanate can be so readily available for sale, seeing it is such a dangerous poison. “Why don’t the people who sell it enquire into why it is being bought?”
This phenomenon is not new to Cyprus. Over the years, veterinarian Efstathiou has seen hundreds of dogs brought into his surgery for treatment after being poisoned.

“The problem is quite big in Cyprus,” said Efstathiou yesterday. “Incidents take place both in and out of town and it is done out of malice.”

According to Efstathiou, the most common form of poison used is Lanate. Lanate is the brand name of an organophosphate pesticide. It is banned in almost every other country in Europe, but is readily available in Cyprus.

“The usual symptoms, if a dog has been poisoned, are seizures, frothing at the mouth and inability to walk. If you see that, then go straight to the vet’s.”

Lanate is the most commonly used poison, but there are other forms, such as rat poison, that are harder to detect. “These can cause internal bleeding, making it almost impossible for the owner to spot it on time.”



Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2006

Now Olga, before you say anything else... really think about what it is you're saying, because only you will look like an idiot at the end of the day!

[Svetlana]

I know animal treatment is an emotive issue but no more comments about other Forum Members please; just stick to the topic.

Lana

[doglover]

And are these the kind of good examples your moderators are setting on the forum? Piratis called me a bitch, which I guess is acceptable, because he has moderator status, and is probably friends with the owner of this forum?

You're absolutely right that our posts shouldn't get personal, but what I do detest strongly, is double standards. What should apply to one, should apply to the other.

[Svetlana]

Elena

Let me assure you, I have never me any of the other Moderators here.
The fact that it got unpleasant, including the example you quoted, caused me to remind people to act in a responsible matter.

There are no double standards; I have called for the end of all name calling from everyone, so where are the double standards?

All inappropriate posts will be removed without further explanation.

Lana

[doglover]

I am here to voice my opinion about animal cruelty in Cyprus, since it is something I feel very strongly about.

There are only a couple of people here that disagree with me, and even so, they have the right to have differing opinions. This is such a sensitive subject among animal lovers, that it is inevitable someone will get very upset and say something unkind in return.

Piratis, a moderator, started the name calling when he said "Shut up bitch."

And this is the guy who knew that there were animal lovers posting in this thread, and decided to post a picture of dog meat to shock and upset people! Only a child would do this. Certainly not someone responsible enough to have moderator status.

[Kikapu]

Doglover,

It's not the fault of some people of not having compassion towards "domesticated animals", so instead, they consider them as part of all animals. If some animals can be killed for food, sport, or just being a nuisance, it is all put together under one emotion, or I should say, NO EMOTIONS at all, and the same goes towards pets.

If you live in Cyprus, you have a great opportunity to change all this. You're not going to change the minds of the "already ignorant" to separate their emotions from one type of animal to another, because to them, if they (animals) can't talk, then they don't have any rights. Some of these ignorant people do not even treat their fellow human beings with respect, so what chance does an animal have. If you can set up a small travelling petting zoo, with few animals, including cats and dogs, to visit schools to get the kids involved in loving animals, then you have a good chance in changing the minds and hearts before they grow to become like their parents. Get some sponsors to donate money for the cause, to bring Cyprus into the 21st Century, when it comes to respecting pets as friends and companions, rather than disposable objects.

[G.Man]

Its a fact that most species of farm animals would die off completely if not farmed for food..

Fish are a nother issue, because the heavy fishing is likely to reduce fish levels to critical if they arent kerbed, thats something i do disagree with...

However, i rarely eat animal anyway, mainly fowl...

The other thing that goes on here which I deplore is dog fighting...

And yes, that started and goes on in england as well... we still have our fair share of barbarians in england as well...

[doglover]

I couldn't agree with you more. And this is something I will look at doing in the future. I take my dogs to the beach with me, and talk to Cypriot children about them. I tell them that my dogs would never bite, and encourage them to stroke them. It's sad really... because most children are fascinated with pets... and then they grow up and poison them.

[G.Man]

The trouble is its a vicious circle...

Dog is abused becomes aggresive, bites child, child grows up, hates dogs... Dog is abused...

Stray cats are a problem here, and so I understand why the people act like they do, but the municipality should have pet wardens to catch and deal with the issue...

In england now, a lot of cats and dogs are neutered and the cat population has decreased accordingly with far less strays, but still too many, but they are rounded up and put in pounds or animal shelters, the population dont lay poison in the streets to deal with them, or throw poison in the back yard of lejitimate owners..

I am sure it will change here, but not until someone gets caught and dealt with properly...

[doglover]

The municipality here does have pet wardens, and they do pick up dogs if someone reports that they are bothersome and roaming around their property. However... if the dog doesnt have an owner, and doesn't get picked up after five days, then they will put the dog down.

There used to be two poodles that would visit me every day, and I'd let them play with my dogs. They would go into my neighbours garden and poop on their property. My neighbour called the municipality and two men came and took them to the pound. I wasn't at home while this happened, so I asked my neighbour to give me their number so I could call them. They told me that they put the dogs down after several days, so I rescued them and took them to the Paphiakos dog shelter. Now they both have homes with loving families.