Cyprus parliament passes new legislation for dog welfare and stray management

On Thursday, the Cyprus House of Representatives approved a unified piece of legislation aimed at enhancing canine welfare and addressing the issue of stray dogs. The law incorporates proposals from MPs Charalambos Theopemptou, Kostis Efstathiou, and representatives of ELAM. Key measures include a requirement to provide a veterinarian-issued death certificate for deceased dogs, stricter regulations on breeding, and mandatory use of leashes and waste disposal bags during walks. The legislation also extends the timeframe for authorities to process stray dogs after capture. While the bill was widely supported, some members argued for delays, citing a lack of local shelters and the need for greater executive support for municipalities. Additionally, an amendment regarding hunting dogs proposed by AKEL was accepted and passed, which sparked debate during the session. The framework builds upon discussions that began in 2016 and aims to improve overall pet management and accountability.