Animal welfare activists accuse police of failing to properly investigate the alleged abduction of cats from a supermarket car park in Latsia, in a case that has drawn public attention in recent weeks and fuelled concern over reports of cat disappearances across Cyprus.
The original complaint regarding the alleged abduction was submitted to police on January 25, 2026, after three sterilised cats that had been living for years at the site under the daily care of volunteers were reported missing.
In a letter addressed to the Nicosia District Animal Welfare Committee and copied to the Nicosia Police Directorate, Veterinary Services and other competent authorities, Dinos Agiomamitis raised concerns about how the matter was handled.
Agiomamitis is president of the Cat Protection and Welfare Association, vice-president of the Federation of Animal Welfare Organisations “Voice for the Animals of Cyprus”, a member of the Nicosia District Animal Welfare Committee and a member of the Pancyprian Coordinating Committee for Animal Welfare.
According to the complaint he forwarded, a woman allegedly lured and captured the cats before placing them in her vehicle. Vehicle registration details were reportedly provided to the Animal Police unit. The suspect allegedly claimed that the cats were ill, had been taken to a veterinarian and then returned, but refused to identify the veterinary clinic.
In his letter, Agiomamitis states that the Animal Police contacted the woman by telephone and accepted her explanation “without further investigation”. He describes this handling of the complaint as “unacceptable” given the seriousness of the allegations.
“It is evident that the person complained against could not possibly have forgotten which veterinarian she took the kittens to,” he wrote, arguing that even if she did not recall the name, she would have known the location and could have guided officers there.
Following numerous complaints by activists and media coverage, police acknowledged that they reviewed CCTV footage from the supermarket, which led to the identification of a woman as a suspect. She has been asked to give a statement.
Other complaints submitted by activists allege that the same woman was seen, in the company of associates, taking cats from colonies or outdoor areas and placing them in a van. These allegations have not been independently verified.
Police told Phileleftheros on Friday, February 13, 2026, that the case remains under investigation. When asked whether officers were examining the actions of a single suspect or a possible wider network behind the alleged abductions, they responded: “The complaint is being investigated. Police must finish taking statements.”
Asked whether any action has been taken to locate the whereabouts of the cats that were allegedly removed, police said only: “We are investigating the case.”
Other cat rescuers and animal welfare activists have contacted Phileleftheros and in-cyprus in recent weeks to report similar disappearances of cats from colonies and outdoor spaces. Several expressed frustration at what they described as police inaction in response to complaints.
In particular, they voiced concern over what they see as a lack of clear information from authorities on whether concrete steps have been taken to trace the missing animals.
At this stage, it remains unclear whether the numerous reports circulating across Cyprus are connected to the Latsia incident or involve separate, unrelated cases. Police have not confirmed any link between the complaints.
Agiomamitis argues that the case may constitute violations of Cyprus’ Animal Protection and Welfare Law 46(I), citing Article 4, which prohibits subjecting animals to pain, suffering, injury or fear without reasonable cause, and Article 5(f), which prohibits the release or abandonment of an animal under human care for the purpose of disposing of it.
According to his letter, the alleged removal of the cats and their subsequent disappearance could fall within the scope of these provisions.
In a separate statement to Phileleftheros, Agiomamitis said he had received no response from any of the competent authorities to whom he had sent his letters.
“The first complaint was made on January 25. The letters speak for themselves and show to whom they were sent,” he stated.
“I received no reply from anyone, despite the fact that I am a member of the competent authorities designated by law for the proper implementation of the Animal Protection and Welfare Law, namely the District Animal Welfare Committee and the Pancyprian Coordinating Committee for Animal Welfare.”
He described the situation as unacceptable and indicated that further steps would follow.
“This situation is unacceptable and we will pursue it as far as it goes. We will proceed with complaints to the competent European bodies as well,” he said.
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