Newsroom
British Bases authorities are continuing coordinated efforts to tackle the illegal training of hunting dogs in protected parts of Akrotiri, Episkopi and Paramali.
In a statement, the British Bases said police officers and Environment Department officials have carried out joint patrols and inspections since January in areas covered by Special Protection Zone regulations.
Under the Hunting and Wild Birds Law, hunting dog training is banned inside these protected zones because they provide critical habitats for migratory birds and species that reproduce locally in Cyprus.
Senior Environmental Officer Alexia Perdiou explained that many birds in these locations build nests on the ground or in low vegetation, making them especially vulnerable to disturbance from dogs.
She also stressed that the restriction applies across all British Bases territory, not only in environmentally sensitive areas, and offenders can face on-the-spot penalties.
Perdiou warned that dogs passing through nesting sites may scare birds away from their nests, leaving eggs and chicks exposed to predators. Persistent disruption can also drive birds away from nesting grounds entirely, particularly during the breeding season that follows the end of hunting activity.
British Bases Police Sergeant Antonis Demetriou said anyone caught violating the law faces a €300 out-of-court fine, while court convictions can lead to prison sentences of up to two years, fines reaching €3,417, or both.
He added that drones and specialist monitoring equipment are being deployed to oversee large natural areas where unlawful activity has been detected. Authorities said joint enforcement operations will continue, while hunters are being urged to avoid training dogs in protected habitats.
The public is encouraged to report suspected illegal dog training activities to the British Bases Police by calling 1443.
