Reports of animal shootings in Cyprus prompt calls for police reform

Recent reports indicate a series of incidents involving cats being shot with air guns in several Cypriot cities, including Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca. In a notable incident in Acheleia, Paphos, a cat was found with a bullet lodged near its nose, while another cat in Limassol was discovered with a bullet in its pelvic area. The Movement of Ecologists – Citizens' Cooperation has called for an immediate investigation and the establishment of an independent animal protection police unit. Currently, animal abuse investigations are handled by local police officers who also manage general duties, a system that activists argue is ineffective. Party representatives, including Anfi Mouri and candidate Olga Korobintseva, stated that residents feel reporting such crimes is pointless due to poor police responsiveness. According to Cypriot law, shooting domestic animals is a criminal offense, and the party is demanding that the perpetrators be identified and prosecuted. Activists further warned that discharging firearms in residential areas poses a significant risk to public safety.