latsia cat — The Latsia cat abduction case has ignited significant concern among animal welfare advocates in Cyprus, leading to criticism of police handling of the investigation. Reports of missing cats have surged across the island, raising alarms about the potential abduction of these animals.
Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com
The issue began when a complaint was lodged on 25 January 2026, following the mysterious disappearance of three sterilised cats from a supermarket car park in Latsia. These cats had been part of a local colony, cared for diligently by volunteers over several years.
In a letter addressed to the Nicosia District Animal Welfare Committee, Dinos Agiomamitis, president of the Cat Protection and Welfare Association, expressed deep concerns about the police’s initial response. According to Agiomamitis, a woman was accused of trapping the cats and transporting them in her vehicle. While the vehicle’s details were reportedly provided to the Animal Police, the suspect claimed she had taken the cats to a veterinarian, yet failed to specify which clinic.
Agiomamitis highlighted a troubling aspect: after contacting the woman, the Animal Police accepted her explanation without further investigation. He remarked, “It is obvious that the accused could not have forgotten which vet she took the kittens to.”
Following mounting pressure from activists and media coverage, police announced on 11 February 2026 that they had reviewed the supermarket’s CCTV footage. This led to the identification of the woman as a suspect, who has since been summoned for questioning.
Simultaneously, reports have emerged of further complaints about the same woman. Witnesses claim to have seen her, accompanied by others, collecting cats from various outdoor locations and placing them into a van. However, these claims remain unverified.
The police confirmed on 13 February 2026 that the investigation is ongoing, but they have not clarified whether they are looking into the possibility of a wider network of individuals involved in the alleged abductions. In response to inquiries about the fate of the missing cats, police stated, “We are investigating the case.”
In recent days, additional accounts have surfaced from other cat rescuers and animal welfare groups, reporting similar incidents of cat disappearances across colonies and outdoor areas. Many volunteers expressed frustration regarding the perceived inaction of the authorities, particularly the lack of transparent communication about measures being implemented to locate the missing animals.
Agiomamitis conveyed his dissatisfaction in a separate statement, emphasising, “The first complaint was made on 25 January. The letters speak for themselves and show who they were sent to.” He noted a troubling silence from the authorities, despite his role in the District Animal Welfare Committee and the Pancyprian Coordinating Committee for Animal Welfare.
“This situation is unacceptable. We will pursue it as far as it goes and we will proceed with complaints to the competent European bodies,” he concluded, voicing the determination of animal welfare advocates to seek accountability.
As the investigation unfolds, it remains uncertain whether the multiple reports of missing cats across Cyprus are linked to the situation in Latsia or represent separate incidents. The police have not confirmed any connections as they work to address these alarming developments.
