cat shootings — Citizens in Nicosia are expressing outrage over a series of cat shootings in the Lakatamia area, with pet owners reporting that animals have been targeted with air guns. One resident, Irene Sidiropoulou, shared a harrowing account of losing two of her kittens in her own garden.
Photo: en.philenews.com
In a recent Facebook post, Sidiropoulou detailed multiple incidents where her pets were harmed, including a kitten that survived a shooting but later succumbed to sepsis from its injuries. “We found it crying and bleeding,” she recalled, describing the moment she took the kitten to the vet. Unfortunately, it did not survive despite efforts to save it.
Photo: en.philenews.com
Frustrated with the apparent inaction of the police, Sidiropoulou attempted to reach out to Animal Police Cyprus several times, only to discover that they were unresponsive. After visiting the station to file a report, she provided the police with names of suspected shooters, asserting that the perpetrator had been targeting animals from outside their homes.
Despite her efforts, the police reportedly stated that they could not act without witnesses to the shootings, leaving Sidiropoulou feeling helpless and questioning the effectiveness of law enforcement. “What are you waiting for? How many injuries and deaths will it take for you to do your job?” she challenged the authorities in her social media post.
Her concerns reflect a broader issue of animal abuse in Cyprus. According to official police statistics, there have been 286 recorded cases of animal abuse since 2021, but activists argue that the true number is likely much higher. These cases encompass various forms of cruelty, including poisoning, physical harm, and killings for sport.
Despite the rising number of incidents, Sidiropoulou noted that the police’s response has been inadequate. After insisting on updates, she learned there had been multiple shootings in her neighbourhood, yet the police offered little assurance of action. “They told me they would hand out fliers about the illegality of this behaviour, but they didn’t even do that,” she said.
Sidiropoulou’s plight continued when another of her cats was shot a year later. Upon returning home, she heard screams and rushed her injured pet to the vet. This cat too suffered complications, passing away due to sepsis from its wounds.
Recently, a third cat of hers was shot, and although it survived surgery, the police were again dismissive of her attempts to report the incident. “This time, the animal police just ignored me,” she lamented, reiterating her frustration with the lack of support from authorities. “Sooner or later, a human will be shot,” she warned, voicing her fears for the community’s safety.
The situation has prompted animal rights activists like Vasiliki Mani to take matters into their own hands. Mani, who has been an activist for 15 years, has launched a Facebook group to compile evidence of animal abuse in the area, noting that the reports are becoming increasingly alarming.
Several residents have come forward with their own experiences of animal shootings, with one individual discovering their cat had three bullets lodged in its body after being shot. “The vet was unsure when it happened, so they didn’t contact the animal police,” the resident explained, which highlights the pervasive issue of distrust in the authorities’ ability to handle such cases.
Frustration with police inaction has become a common theme among residents. One person described how they witnessed a man shooting an air gun from a balcony into a residential field, yet felt powerless to report the incident effectively. When they attempted to alert the police about another case involving dogs kept in cages, they were redirected back and forth between the police and the municipality.
As the community grapples with the rise in animal cruelty, the absence of a coordinated response from law enforcement leaves many feeling disillusioned and concerned for the safety of both pets and people. The call for action grows louder, as residents demand that authorities take their responsibilities seriously and protect the vulnerable animals within their community.
