Repeated vandalism at the dog beach in Kassianes (Spyros Beach), south of Larnaca Airport, has caused widespread anger, after unknown individuals stole or broke sunbeds installed by the municipality for visitors to the area.
The beach was upgraded two years ago, when Larnaca Municipality installed sunbeds and umbrellas for use by swimmers who bring their dogs to the sea.
Some of the sunbeds were later stolen, and were replaced at the request of the beach’s volunteers, who are present throughout the day. At night, however, the equipment has been targeted and damaged.
The issue was raised in a social media post by Christina Agapiou, one of the beach’s volunteers, who did not hide her anger and frustration over what has been happening at the dog beach.
Agapiou wrote that the municipality had responded positively to a request for free sunbeds and umbrellas, but said some people had shown they could not respect what had been offered to them free of charge.
She said the sunbeds were stolen first, then replaced by the municipality in good faith, and have now been broken. “This is not mischief or a joke. It’s vandalism,” she wrote.
She questioned why people who would not damage their own furniture at home would destroy property that belongs to everyone, and said she hoped the vandalism had been worth it, since it could mean no more sunbeds at the beach in future.
She said it was unfair for the volunteers to lose the facilities because of others’ recklessness.
Agapiou added that those calling for better infrastructure and facilities should remember this requires respect, since damaging public property does not harm the municipality alone but the whole community.
She said the volunteers work to provide the best conditions for the dogs that use the beach.