Minister Proposes Instant Fine on Animal Abusers

Agriculture Minister Sophocles Aletraris said he proposes an instant fine for animal abusers after meeting with the movement Justice for Animals Cyprus.

The discussion focused on the hot topic of the mistreatment of animals, particularly some recent cases like the farm in Tseri in which dogs were abused and their burned carcass dumped on the farm. The incident triggered a protest outside the farm and calls for the farm owner's business to be boycotted.

A 1994 law is not being implemented, said the minister, because the procedure is time consuming. A complaint has to be made to district committees or the district veterinary officer, who then make a recommendation to the abuser, and the next step is a complaint in court by the police.

"I believe it would be much more effective if the director of the veterinary services had the power to impose a fine because it would be more of a deterrent than lengthy procedures in court," said Aletraris.

The ministry will also prepare some video clips to encourage citizens to love animals and treat them well, he said.

The movement's coordinator Kyriakos Kyriakou said that the idea is to raise awareness for the issues of animal protection so that the problem doesn't get worse.

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