unsterilised dogs — The cost of owning an unsterilised dog should be significantly higher to encourage responsible ownership, according to Chrysso Kakofengitou, president of the animal welfare organisation “Rights For Animals.” Her comments follow recent amendments to the Dogs Law passed by parliament on Thursday.
- “We need to address uncontrolled breeding. It has to stop,” she asserted, emphasising the urgency of the matter.
Kakofengitou expressed her concerns to CNA, describing the revised fee structure for unsterilised dogs as a “major mistake.” She believes this decision fails to recognise the pressing issue of stray and unwanted animals in Cyprus.
Unsterilised dogs: A Growing Problem of Uncontrolled Breeding
Kakofengitou highlighted alarming statistics, stating that if dogs in Cyprus are left unsterilised, they can produce around 5,000 puppies annually. This number can escalate dramatically to 12,000 within five years and up to 36,000 in 15 years, raising questions about the capacity for adoption.
“Do lawmakers really believe we can allow dogs to keep reproducing without safeguards? Who will take all these puppies?” she questioned, noting that many newborn animals end up abandoned at shelters managed by animal welfare groups.
Proposed Fee Increase to Encourage Sterilisation
Kakofengitou advocates for a substantial increase in the fees associated with owning an unsterilised dog, suggesting charges of up to €1,000. She argues that such measures would compel dog owners to consider sterilisation, which benefits both the health of the animals and society as a whole.
“If we want to tackle the issue of uncontrolled breeding, we need to implement robust financial deterrents,” she said, reflecting the organisation’s commitment to promoting responsible pet ownership.
Raising Awareness Among Policymakers
In light of the ongoing issue, Kakofengitou announced that the organisation plans to intensify its campaign. This includes possibly taking puppies to political party offices to highlight the reality of the situation and foster a deeper understanding among decision-makers.
“We need to address uncontrolled breeding. It has to stop,” she asserted, emphasising the urgency of the matter.
A Closer Examination of the New Law
The organisation intends to analyse the recent amendments to the Dogs Law in detail and will issue a formal response in the coming days. Kakofengitou’s remarks underscore a growing frustration within animal welfare circles regarding legislative actions that may not fully address the complexities of animal overpopulation.
