TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR ANIMAL ABUSE

 Filenews 4 October 2020 

On the occasion of World Animal Day, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment, Costas Kadis, speaks to "F" about the problems observed in relation to the effective implementation of legislation and the new regulations put in place for animal welfare. He comments on the incident of animal abuse at Paralimni High School and develops his vision regarding the protection of animals in Cyprus. He stresses that animal welfare has been high on his Ministry's priorities.

- Minister, today we are celebrating World Animal Day. What exactly is the purpose of this day?

-World Animal Day, which is celebrated every year on 4 October, aims to improve the position of animals in our consciousness and in society, while contributing to improving the protection and welfare of animals on the planet. This day concerns both the animals we have in our home, which depend on humans for their survival, the productive animals, but also the animals that live in nature, which contribute in their own way to the balance of our common ecosystem. Our survival depends to a large extent on this balance.

-To what extent do you think this year's day finds the situation in Cyprus improved in terms of the relationship between humans and animals?

- Cypriots' feelings of animal welfare have developed in recent years. A large proportion of young people, who may not belong to any animal welfare organisation, are deeply aware and active in animal welfare issues and recognise the important benefits of people's interaction with animals. The coronavirus pandemic made us rethink many things and highlighted the social and emotional value of animals in our lives. Research in several countries has shown that during the lockdown period, pets helped people maintain a regular routine, improve their concentration while working at home, while reducing anxiety and depression. These positive results were particularly important for people who were left alone.

-You have repeatedly stated that animal welfare issues are high on your agenda. What new policies have you implemented?

-One of the first priorities set by the government of President Anastasiades and in particular our ministry, was to promote policies to improve animal welfare in our country. We have designed and implemented an Integrated Animal Protection and Welfare Framework, focusing our efforts on pets, productive animals, animals in zoos and pet shops. In summary, some of the new laws, programmes and actions that we have designed and implemented are the amendment of the Legislation to increase penalties for animal abuse and neglect, the introduction of new Regulations to regulate the standards to be met by shelters, hotels and dog farms, the new Bill to improve animal detention conditions in zoos and the new bill regulating the sale and possession of pets. With this bill Cyprus becomes one of the few European countries that will now apply the "positive list" which is essentially the list of animals that one will be allowed to own as pets. In this way we also contribute to the fight against the illegal wildlife trade. We have also increased the annual grant to animal welfare organisations to EUR 100 000, in a sign of recognition of the valuable work of animal welfare volunteers. At the same time, we implemented programmes for the sterilisation of stray cats, while in order to limit stray dogs we proceeded to implement a programme of free dog labelling, i.e. microchip placement.

-Are there mechanisms in government agencies to take the actions needed to significantly improve animal welfare conditions?

-It is a fact that the structure and staffing of government agencies could not be seen as ideal for the effective management of animal welfare issues. Significant changes are also being made at this level, however. Let me remind you of the Government's decision to proceed with the creation of the Animal Police – the relevant bill is expected to be debated soon in the House – while the Veterinary Services assume a coordinating role in animal welfare issues and are renamed Veterinary and Animal Welfare Services. Our intention is also to move forward by strengthening the staffing of these services so that they can function effectively.

   -Much has been said about the amending Bill on Animal Welfare being debated in the House Committee on the Environment. What exactly does this bill provide for? Do you think it will eventually be voted on by the House?

-This bill was approved by the Council of Ministers on 9 October 2019 and is being discussed in the Parliamentary Committee on the Environment. The Bill introduces important provisions, such as increasing the penalties for animal abuse, from EUR 1 700 currently in force in the event of a first conviction, to EUR 10 000 and from EUR 3 400 currently in force in the event of a subsequent conviction, to EUR 20 000. We believe that these penalties will act as a deterrent, while at the same time showing the importance we place as a State in punishing those who mistreat animals. The bill also introduces new provisions to improve animal welfare conditions in our country, namely a ban on dogs being permanently tethered and kept on rooftops and balconies, conditions that leave animals isolated and exposed to weather conditions. The bill also provides for the strengthening of animal protection procedures, through institutionalised cooperation between government agencies, private veterinarians and animal welfare organisations participating in the Cyprus Animal Welfare Coordinating Committee and the Provincial Animal Welfare Committees. I hope that after the extensive debate that has taken place in the Committee on the Environment in the House, the Bill will be voted on by the plenary, setting a new basis for animal welfare in our country.