Cyprus-Forum.com

[doglover]

I just wanted to bring this subject to the forefront of the forum, as this is a serious issue here in Cyprus that needs dealing with immediately. I hear about cases of animal cruelty every week, and it angers me that nothing is being done to punish those responsible. Animal cruelty is illegal over here, but sadly, the police do not seem to be enforcing these laws onto those who carry out these apalling acts.

I love Cyprus, but I really hate how people treat animals here. My mums neighbours dog (a Chihuahua) is kept tied to a tap in the garden, with a metal chain no longer than 30 cm's long. It's not even kept in a shaded area, so the sun is beating down on it's head all day. I heard the poor thing screaming a few days ago, so I went over into their garden to investigate. The chain had wrapped round the dogs neck twice, causing great discomfort, and possibly nearly choking the dog to death. I told the owner what had happened, and that the dog could have died, and he simply said "he'll be okay, that always happens". I seriously wanted to punch him in his face! And this is the same guy who throws firecrackers into my mums garden whenever her dogs start to bark. We let them out for 15 minutes at a time, and every time one of the dogs start to bark, we can hear a big bang and the dogs come running inside. I told this guy off once for doing this, and his wife simply sat on the veranda, giggling like a complete moron, while her husband tried to justify what he had been doing. He even admitted to throwing stones into my mums garden... which explains the small wounds we've found on the dogs.

I would have called the police, but I was scared in case he poisoned our dogs. It sucks that we have to live in fear, and carefully inspect the garden before letting the dogs out. I don't see why we should keep the dogs locked indoors all day when we have a huge garden for them to play in.

My brothers dog was poisoned a few weeks ago. It was awful having to see him and his wife go through so much pain. I just couldn't believe that someone had the heart -or rather should I say, a lack of heart - to go and do something like that.

It breaks my heart every time I see a stray dog walking along the road. I WISH the Cypriot authorities would wake up and do something about it. It has been like this for years. Nothing has changed!

There should be an RSPCA in Cyprus, working with the police. If people were sent to prison for these evil acts, then people would think twice about poisoning their neighbours dog. And seeing as Lanade is widely used over here to poison dogs and cats, it should be banned, or shouldn't be so easily obtained by just anyone.

The Cyprus government ought to be ashamed of themselves! What’s worse… the people who carry out these acts? Or the people that are in a position to do something about it, and don’t?

I'll leave you now with a news article I just found regarding animal cruelty in Cyprus:

Animal rights activists condemn ‘appalling acts’
By John Leonidou
THE Cyprus Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (CSPCA) yesterday held a press conference condemning the recent torture and killing of a dog by National Guard Conscripts.

On Friday night the private television station Sigma aired a clip of the mobile video footage, which showed the helpless dog racing about and howling in agony to the laughter and singing of soldiers.

The video clip, which is believed to have been recorded one year ago, had been forwarded around for some time until it came into the possession of a reporter, who was so disgusted with its content that he decided to air the clip before the public.

CSPCA Chairwoman Toula Poyiatzis described the recent attack on the dog as “appalling” adding that it was not the first time that her organisation had been informed about cruelty to dogs and cats by National Guard conscripts.

“We have heard many other cases of soldiers battering to death animals like dogs and cats although the Ministry of Defence will not confirm this arguing for some reason that these cases are rare and not frequent.”

Meanwhile lawyer Michalis Stamataris, who is also a member of the organisation, told the Cyprus Mail that the island was not implementing laws to protect animal rights and that people torturing or killing animals are getting away with blue murder.

“It is unfortunately a fact that the Republic has not implemented an EU legislation preventing the cruelty of animals and it is something which the island has to implement before it gets into trouble. For example a person inflicting cruelty on to an animal could be handed a 12-month prison sentence and fined up to £1,000. If that same person is again caught torturing animal then he could get up to 24 months in prison and face a fine of up to £2,000.

“Also the police have to be tougher when it comes to cases of animal cruelty. It is common knowledge that police officers brush aside cases that are reported of animal cases. If they took action against people being cruel to animals then perhaps those culprits would think again.”

But inflicting cruelty to animals could have worst implications explained Stamataris who warned that youngsters imposing cruelty to animals have many times go on to do far worse to humans. Most serial killers also have a history in which they have inflicted cruelty on animals.

“It is a worry when you think about the character a person would have if they are able to inflict such horrible things on an animal. If anything, we should think about the future; if at 17 and 18 they are burning dogs and battering cats then what will happen when they grow up and join society.”

Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2006

[unique_earthling]

oh Elena i am so sorry to hear you are living in fear, i know what its like here, i too hope people will see the error of their ways and understand that animals have rights too.. I live with it every day where i work and it makes me very sad and is overwhelming at times.. Talk to your neighbours and try to make them understand what they are doing, teach them that an animal has feelings and needs, and if they dont listen, try to help the animal anyway you see fit.. x

[twinkle]

You can report animal neglect and cruelty to the local municipality. By law they should check on every dog owner as they must be registered annually. If the dog is being neglected, they have the power to take the animal away until the problem is solved. Obviously in practice this is not going to work. Have to add though that I report an incident of tortoises being kept in the sun in Ledra Street Nicosia, and the Chief of Vet services in Nicosia got involved and checked the situation out. They can do it, but are understaffed and lack resources.

Did anyone see that programme on the new channel CNC PLus(?) on Saturday night where members of the public brought there pets into the baking hot studio. They were trying to see if animals that ate each other in the wild could get on together. A rabbit and a snake for example!!! It was horrendous. I turned it off.

As Ghandi said, you can tell how civilised a country is by the way it treats its animals.....'nuff said!!!

[anastasiaC]

a lady at my work has spent $9000 on chemo for her dog
he is very sick and she is so devastated, I feel so sorry for her......

[michalis5354]

I ve seen very big snakes for sale in a pet shop . A python with white and pink colours costing 175 pounds and also another big thick snake(Boa) with many colours . I saw a man after touching the snake he got so excited and he decided to buy it with not a second thought! He even thought to warn her wife at home that he will bring a snake back home with shopping. He rang her wife but as the line was busy he decided to buy the snake and to make a big suprise to her!

It seems that there is more interest now in buying snakes / spiders and less interest in dogs / birds etc.

Also there is one spider Tarantula for sale . 35 pounds for a tarantoula spider if anyone is interested! It will be a nice gift for some!

[Snad]

Hi Elena

I too am sorry to hear that you live in fear for your dogs. Its a dreadful way to live. UE is right, perhaps you should sit down with your neighbours and talk it out, if that is possible.

As far as people just hap hazardly buying snakes and taurantialars, it is crazy. Do they have an idea how to properly look after them? Animals such as these have very specific needs and if not cared for properly will die.
Some people have nosense of responsibility and put their own selfish needs above defenseless animals.

[cadaunovera]

I ve seen very big snakes for sale in a pet shop . A python with white and pink colours costing 175 pounds and also another big thick snake(Boa) with many colours . I saw a man after touching the snake he got so excited and he decided to buy it with not a second thought! He even thought to warn her wife at home that he will bring a snake back home with shopping. He rang her wife but as the line was busy he decided to buy the snake and to make a big suprise to her!

I bet its the python they found in Nicosia few weeks ago...i guess his wife didnt like the idea haha

[GG]

He rang her wife but as the line was busy he decided to buy the snake and to make a big suprise to her!

I bet its the python they found in Nicosia few weeks ago...i guess his wife didnt like the idea haha

Well when he told his wife 'Get prepared I am bringing my snake home' I imagine thats not what she had in mind!

[michalis5354]

[
I bet its the python they found in Nicosia few weeks ago...i guess his wife didnt like the idea haha

I can confirm that the man did not buy the python but boa (Voas) so maybe that python belong to someone else! What a nice gift huh?

[dinos]

It really is odd that people would want pets that can eat them. Like Snad said, a 175 pound snake requires a certain type of care. Its appetite would be large and you'd have to feed it pigs or similar animals.

And still, you hear of people getting attacked by their pet snakes. Not sure of boas, but pythons can apply something like 80 PSI pressure when constricting. That's roughly equivalent to an 8500 pound bus on your chest - and that will easily break most of the bones in your body. Not a pleasant way to die, but hey - they may get lucky and go quickly from a broken neck.

I'm not aware of anyone that has enough testoterone to withstand that type of attack.