A cat has been found seriously injured with a gun pellet embedded in its nose in the Paphos village of Achelia, prompting the Movement of Ecologists-Citizens’ Cooperation to demand an immediate investigation and renew calls for an independent animal police force.
The Movement of Ecologists described the incident as part of a pattern of violent acts against defenceless animals in the Paphos district, saying such acts constitute criminal offences under Cypriot law. The party is calling for the immediate identification and exemplary punishment of those responsible, as well as intensified inspections and prevention measures by the relevant authorities.
Anthi Mouzouri, Coordinator of the Movement’s Animal Action Group, called on anyone with information to contact the authorities immediately. She also raised concerns about the Animal Police, saying attempts to reach the service had been unsuccessful. “Everything suggests the service is occupied with other duties rather than its core purpose,” she said, adding that the failure of authorities to respond to complaints erodes public trust in institutions and leads citizens to believe that reporting incidents is pointless.
“Citizens are not asking for words. They are asking for actions,” Mouzouri said, renewing the party’s long-standing call for an independent Animal Police unit — one that would operate autonomously with an exclusive mandate to protect animals and enforce the relevant legislation, rather than as a supplementary function of another service.
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