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Public anger is mounting after a social media post and accompanying video allegedly showing the mistreatment of livestock during a mass culling operation circulated widely online over the weekend.
The video was shared by Nicolas Prodromou, president of the civic group Active Citizens – KEKK, who claims the footage shows the killing of thousands of sheep and goats in several areas of Larnaca district, including Oroklini, Troulloi and Livadia near Dromolaxia.
Prodromou described the scenes as “cold-blooded killings” and accused workers involved in the operation of mistreating animals during the euthanasia process. He also issued a public apology for the graphic nature of the footage but said it was necessary for the public to see what he called “the whole truth.”
The social media post alleges that workers administering injections to the animals behaved inappropriately during the procedure. Prodromou claims the video shows individuals laughing and using abusive language while animals were being put down.
The culling operation is believed to be part of ongoing veterinary measures to control disease among livestock. In statements to local media on March 7, officials from Cyprus’ Veterinary Services said euthanasia procedures were being carried out “with the appropriate methods, by veterinarians and with full respect for protocols.”
Prodromou disputed those claims, arguing that the footage contradicts the official description of the procedures.
In his post, he called for an immediate halt to the operations and demanded criminal investigations into those responsible. He also urged authorities to prosecute individuals allegedly involved under Cyprus’ Animal Welfare Law (46(I)/1994), which provides for prison sentences and fines in cases of animal abuse.
The activist group said its legal team is preparing a formal case file and called for the dismissal and investigation of any officials found to be responsible. Among those they say should be examined are individuals appearing in the video, senior officials within the Veterinary Services, and the Minister of Agriculture.
Prodromou also warned that the group plans to send the video to Eurogroup for Animals, a Brussels-based animal protection organisation.
The post further called on citizens, animal owners, hunters and livestock farmers to protest what it described as unacceptable practices.
VIEWER WARNING: The video below contains disturbing scenes involving the killing of animals. It may be upsetting to some readers.
