The Movement of Ecologists: Citizens’ Cooperation on Tuesday expressed outrage over repeated shootings of cats in a residential area of Lakatamia.
In an announcement, they said the incidents had been reported to the authorities repeatedly, but that no substantive investigation or effective intervention has followed to date.
Last week, a Facebook post revealed that there have been a number of shootings in the Lakatamia area recently. The post’s author Irene Sidiropoulou, told en.philenews that two of her own cats were shot in her own garden, later passing due to sepsis. A third cat was also shot recently.
Sidiropoulou told en.philenews that she repeatedly contacted the police, and was met with no action, later questioning them on their efforts, writing, “What are you waiting for? How many injuries and deaths will it take for you to do your job?”
The Ecologists said these incidents amount to more than abhorrent acts of animal cruelty. It said the use of a firearm or hunting weapon in a residential area, next to homes where families and children live, poses a serious risk to public safety and human life.
The Ecologists are demanding an immediate and full investigation into all the complaints, the activation of the Animal Police and relevant services, preventive and monitoring measures in areas where repeated incidents have been recorded, and strict enforcement of legislation on animal protection and the use of firearms in residential areas.
The announcement said it is unthinkable that citizens repeatedly report animal shootings only for the response to be limited to the absence of an eyewitness. It also said the authorities should make use of every available piece of evidence and information, investigate incidents systematically, and protect both animals and residents’ safety.
The Ecologists also called on police to carry out a thorough vetting of people living or operating in the area who legally possess firearms, and to investigate any information relating to possible illegal possession or use of weapons. The announcement called this a reasonable and necessary part of the investigative process, particularly given repeated shooting incidents in a residential area that endanger both animals and human life.
The party added that tolerance of such acts encourages their repetition, and that every day of inaction increases the risk of new victims, whether animal or human. It said the cats’ guardian had previously provided significant information about possible suspects and individuals who had abused or killed animals in the area in the past, and that police should have made use of that information.
The announcement again raised the issue of what it called the “almost non-existent” Animal Police, saying that difficulty communicating with the unit was again apparent in this case. It asked whether the State would finally ensure the Animal Police becomes an independent body that adequately investigates animal abuse cases, and deals only with animal abuse rather than other duties.
Anthi Mouzouri, Coordinator of the Ecologists’ Animal Action Group, said animal protection “is not only a matter of animal welfare,” but also a marker of civilisation, humanity and the rule of law. She said those who torture or kill animals must be identified, brought before justice, and punished with the severity the law provides, adding that only when such acts do not go unpunished can society be considered truly civilised and respectful of every form of life.
A Facebook group has also been created by Vasiliki Mani, an animal rights activist and volunteer of 15 years, which aims to compile evidence of animal abuse to evoke action from authorities, she told en.philenews.
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