Newsroom
Cyprus’ Christmas Villages are bigger and more popular than ever, drawing thousands of visitors and boosting local economies. But the festive cheer is under a shadow after an animal welfare group reported that a pony died during holiday celebrations in the village of Prastio Kellakiou.
According to the Cyprus Animal Party, two ponies were brought in by private individuals on December 12 and 13 to entertain visitors. One of the animals later died, possibly from cold exposure or improper feeding. The group says the death points to a serious failure to follow basic animal welfare rules, including proper stabling, licensing, and post-mortem procedures.
“The animal died and was either thrown away or buried, without any authority asking questions or investigating who is responsible,” the group said in a statement Tuesday. It is calling on the local council, Veterinary Services, and the Moni police to investigate immediately.
The death comes as the Christmas Villages continue to thrive. This year, eight villages welcomed record crowds, including foreign visitors, and provided a financial boost to rural communities through booth rentals, local sales, and tourism-related spending.
But animal advocates warn that bringing live animals to crowded outdoor events, often in winter weather, carries real risks. Loud music, cold temperatures, stress from crowds, and inadequate food or shelter can be fatal, even for ponies.
No official response has yet been issued by the local authorities.
So while Cyprus’ Christmas Villages are proving to be a winter tourism hit, the reported death of a pony during the celebrations is sparking a wider debate about responsibility, oversight, and the hidden costs of holiday entertainment.
