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People who abuse animals in Cyprus could soon face much tougher consequences after Parliament passed a new law late Thursday aimed at cracking down on cruelty.
The bill, put forward by DISY MP Savia Orphanidou, was approved during a plenary session and raises the penalties for animal abuse to a level that lawmakers hope will actually make offenders think twice. Under the new law, first-time offenders could be fined up to €20,000 or face up to two years in prison, while repeat offenders could see fines as high as €30,000 and up to three years behind bars.
The change comes in response to recent high-profile cases of abuse and neglect, which sparked public outrage and reignited calls for stricter laws. Many MPs acknowledged that the existing penalties were simply not strong enough to deter mistreatment.
“This is about more than punishing people, it’s about sending a clear message that animal cruelty will not be tolerated,” Orphanidou said during the session.
Under the new law, first-time offenders could be fined up to €20,000 or face up to two years in prison, while repeat offenders could see fines as high as €30,000 and up to three years behind bars.
Not Everyone Agrees
However, not everyone welcomed the law. The Party for the Animals of Cyprus expressed strong disagreement, arguing that the new penalties, while tougher on paper, still leave too much room for leniency in court. The party is calling for a more precise, codified system that ties specific violations to clearly defined, strict penalties based on the seriousness of the offense.
In a written statement, party president Kyriakos Kyriakou said the broad sentencing scale still in use allows courts to hand down penalties that don’t match the severity of the crime — even in cases involving the torturous death of animals. “What we end up with,” he said, “are sentences that feel more like a pat on the back than real justice — and that only fuels public frustration.”
Debate Over Cage Regulations
The discussion also addressed criticism aimed at the government for not passing separate regulations related to animal welfare two weeks ago. Several MPs defended the delay, arguing that those regulations were poorly drafted and could have done more harm than good — especially in terms of cage size requirements, which they said might have led to worse living conditions for some animals rather than improvements.
Some MPs accused critics of not fully understanding why the regulations were shelved and urged for a proper dialogue with the Agriculture Ministry to address gaps in enforcement and oversight.
A Step Forward, But More Work Ahead
While Thursday’s vote was widely seen as a step in the right direction, many MPs agreed it’s only part of the solution. Better regulation, stronger inspections, and public awareness are all needed to truly improve animal welfare in Cyprus.
Animal rights groups have long pushed for harsher penalties and more meaningful action. With the new law in place, they’re hoping for fewer headlines about abuse, and more stories of rescue, adoption, and responsible care.
For now, the message is simple: If you mistreat animals in Cyprus, the law will come down harder than ever before.
