Cyprus to Introduce Animal Police?
Published on September 10, 2008 by Neil Burton · 3 CommentsThe Federation of Cypriot Animal Welfare Organisations, is exactly what it says it is. By presenting a united front as the Cyprus Voice for Animals, the federation is a powerful presence regarding animal welfare matters on the island of Cyprus.
The constituent members of the group realised that they could lobby the Cypriot government more effectively if they all joined forces for the benefit of the animals of Cyprus.
The greatest achievement amongst the plethora of improvements they have already obtained for animal welfare is the forthcoming formation of an ‘Animal Police’ force.
After lobbying the government, namely the Minister of Agriculture under whose jurisdiction animal welfare falls. The Minister of Justice decreed that the five districts of the republic of Cyprus will have two dedicated officers per district from the national police force trained to deal with and enforce animal legislation.
Ten police officers out of a population of over 778,000 does not sound much, but it is a start and is ‘only’ 20,000 more residents than the UK government ratio of 1 Dog Warden/Animal Welfare Officer per 50,000 residents.
The Minister of Justice has ordered that the 10 ‘Animal Police’ will be employed solely on animal welfare work.
Animal welfare training is being sourced through the RSPCA as the President of the Federation of Cypriot Animal Welfare Organisations, Maria Anastiades is also the RSPCA representative in Cyprus.
Once the Animal Police start work it can only benefit the animals of Cyprus as it is alleged that many government Veterinary Inspectors who should be investigating complaints are recruited directly from the employment exchange with little or no knowledge of working with animals or of legislation.
This positive result shows that when a united front is presented to ‘government’ they do listen and that people power is still important wherever we live.
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Tags: animal police, Animal Welfare
LOL!! Cypriot Animal police?? The Cypriot mentality is still in the dark ages. It would be a waste of tax money as the ‘Officers’ in question would be more than happy to sit on their asses and drink frappe and get paid for it. The bottom line is that Cypriots don’t care about the Environment let alone animals. The concept of nature preservation is as foreign to them as Ice Hockey. Why would Animal welfare be any different? All animal Welfare projects should be run by foreigners living in Cyprus as the majority of Cypriot people simply don’t care. If one observed the conditions in which pet owners in Cyprus keep their pets and treat the environment one might understand.
Nice news Neil, thanks. It would make a big difference. 25 years ago when I was stationed there for 2 1/2 years, there was nothing except a small RSPCA Branch run by British Forces wives for cats. Nothing at all for dogs or other animals.
Thank you for these comments.
Dave the Dog as a person who has spent time in Cyprus you will know that even a small start like 10 police officers being employed solely on animal welfare is a massive undertaking on the part of the Cypriot government and should be applauded.
Realist Observer there are many things to lol about regarding Cyprus, parking on zebra crossings, driving through one with people walking across and parking antics that would make motorists from Rome shake their heads in amazement, but let’s give credit where it is due.
Whilst there are many foreign residents and returning Cypriots involved in animal welfare, there are also local Cypriots who are involved too.
I have been coming to Cyprus since 1990 and staying in a rural village and I have noticed an improvement in the way animals are treated, unbelievably there are even Cypriots who keep dogs as pets now!
There is a long way to go but organisations such as the Federation of Cypriot Animal Welfare Organisations are a step in the right direction?