Investigation into alleged cat abductions in Latsia sparks criticism of Cyprus police

Animal welfare activists have criticized the Cyprus police for their handling of an alleged cat abduction case at a supermarket car park in Latsia. The initial complaint was filed on January 25, 2026, after three sterilized cats disappeared from a colony cared for by volunteers for over seven years. Dinos Agiomamitis, president of the Cat Protection and Welfare Association, alleged that the Animal Police initially accepted the suspect's verbal claim that the cats were taken to a vet and returned without verifying the details. Rescuer Maria Kyriacou stated that the animals were forcibly trapped on January 22 and have not been seen since. While the suspect claimed the cats were ill, activists suspect they may have been illegally exported abroad, possibly to Germany. Following public outcry and media coverage, the police announced they had examined CCTV footage to identify the suspect. The Cyprus Environmental Movement has also called for a broader investigation into increasing reports of cat disappearances across the island. The case has highlighted concerns over the lack of oversight in informal animal rehoming and the enforcement of animal welfare laws.