Newsroom
A controversy has emerged in Nicosia after claims surfaced regarding the alleged capture and consumption of cats by unidentified individuals. The dispute has drawn attention from the Animal Party Cyprus (APC), the police, and local media.
According to a statement from the Animal Party Cyprus on social media, the party provided information to police after receiving reports from a citizen witness. The witness, the APC said, observed cats being taken by “unscrupulous individuals or foreigners” and later saw the kittens being moved to an apartment in which the witness resides. The party claims that it, along with its president, offered to accompany the witness to the police to provide testimony and assist in obtaining a judicial search warrant.
“Unfortunately, this was not possible,” the statement read, “as the police, together with veterinary services, had already entered the apartments with the consent of the residents, without a court order.” APC criticized the delay in action, noting that the police had been notified three days earlier and that a lawyer had sent letters to relevant ministries and the police. According to APC, the raids ultimately yielded no results, and evidence may have been lost due to the delay.
The Police, however, offered a different perspective. In a statement released on November 22, authorities said members of the Police Animal Unit, accompanied by a representative from the Veterinary Services, conducted searches in two Nicosia apartments with the consent of the residents. No suspicious or unlawful activity was found. The police emphasized that all complaints regarding animal welfare are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. They also stressed that “claims made without documented evidence do not constitute sufficient testimony” for legal proceedings.
The differing accounts fuel tensions between animal advocacy groups and law enforcement regarding procedures, timeliness, and evidence handling. APC has called for a full investigation into any possible lapses, asserting that responsibility should be assigned if errors or negligence contributed to the outcome.
Authorities have reiterated that the welfare of animals is a shared responsibility and urged citizens to report any suspected abuse promptly to ensure proper investigation.
