The stray dog crisis in Cyprus is exacerbated by low registration numbers, with only 187,425 dogs recorded in the Veterinary Services registry.
This figure, reported by Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou, starkly contrasts with estimates from the Cyprus Voice for Animals, which claims that approximately 250,000 dogs are abandoned on the island each year. The disparity highlights the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in managing the stray dog population.
Stray dog: Discrepancies in Dog Registrations
A separate database from the Game and Fauna Service lists 50,246 dogs, of which 40,658 hold valid permits. The records also reveal that 1,409 dogs have been reported lost, 215 stolen, and 7,964 deceased. The data indicates significant gaps in compliance with existing registration laws.
Increased Enforcement Actions
In response to the growing issue, enforcement actions have intensified, particularly within the hunting community. Between 2023 and 2024, over 700 individuals were reported for legal violations concerning hunting dogs. According to Ioannou, to gather this number of citations, inspectors likely examined six times as many hunters.
Municipalities are also stepping up their inspections. Some staff visit licensed premises at least annually, while others conduct targeted checks based on complaints from the public.
Legislative Changes on the Horizon
To tackle the root of the problem, the Interior Ministry is proposing amendments to the Protection and Management of Wild Birds and Game Law. The new regulations will:
- Make microchipping mandatory for all hunting dogs, regardless of age.
- Criminalise the failure to report a hunting dog’s loss or death.
- Criminalise the failure to report finding a hunting dog.
- Penalise owners for allowing hunting dogs to roam unaccompanied during hunting trips and training.
Ioannou stressed that microchipping is currently the responsibility of dog owners once their pets reach six months old, but many have failed to comply, contributing to the high number of unregistered and unchipped animals.
Connecting Databases for Better Management
In an effort to enhance management of the stray dog problem, the Ministry is working on linking the Game and Fauna Service database with the Veterinary Services registry. This integration aims to provide authorities with the ability to quickly identify the owners of stray or deceased dogs, potentially streamlining the process of reuniting lost pets with their owners.
