28/07/2025
Complaints mount over stray cat feeding site destruction, with police accused of ignoring the law
Feeding stray cats in Cyprus has become one of the most contentious animal welfare issues, with complaints mounting over the destruction of feeding sites and police accused of overlooking the law.
Stella Stylianou, president of Argos Shelter and member of the Famagusta Provincial Animal Welfare Committee, speaking to philenews, alleges that police, following a controversial legal opinion from the Attorney General’s Office, avoid investigating complaints about feeding site destruction, leaving animals hungry and volunteers at the mercy of conflicts with opposing citizens.
Legislation is clear, according to animal welfare organisations. Amendment Law 175(I)/2020, which strengthens the Animal Welfare and Protection Law, states in Article 5(ka) that destroying feeding and watering sites for stray animals constitutes an offence.
Article 18A gives local authorities the option (not obligation) to designate special feeding areas without excluding other locations where animals are cared for by volunteers.
Cat colonies have formed over time due to uncontrolled reproduction and cats wandering in neighbourhoods where they found food and water provided by volunteers, Stylianou notes.
“As there were several incidents of people destroying these feeding sites, police were flooded with complaints for law enforcement. Are we to assume police cannot fully interpret the clause and need an opinion from the Attorney General? Obviously, police, faced with the volume of complaints, decided to seek help from the Attorney General with an ‘official opinion diagnosis’ to lighten their workload,” she states.
However, police cite a legal opinion from the Attorney General’s Office which, according to responses given to volunteers, limits feeding legality only to sites officially designated by local authorities.
Stylianou expresses strong concern: “This is a dangerous misinterpretation of the law. We have repeatedly reported incidents of feeding container destruction, and police respond that no criminal offence occurs because sites are not ‘approved’. The law doesn’t say this. It’s arbitrary interpretation”.
She describes an increasing trend of aggression towards animal lovers. “Volunteers are harassed and threatened; some face attacks or vandalism. We care for animal health and welfare, sterilise, and clean but find ourselves accused. All this because responsible authorities fear taking responsibility”.
Police position
A specific volunteer’s case in Famagusta province is indicative. Despite the woman responsibly sterilising, feeding and deworming stray cats, her neighbour complained about the cats’ presence and, according to animal welfare reports, proceeded to intimidate the animals.
Despite appeals for protection, police responded that no illegality was observed, again based on the Attorney General’s Office opinion.
The responsible police station officer noted in a letter that the complainant “was informed on the legislation regarding cat feeding, referencing the Attorney General’s opinion concerning stray animal feeding sites, namely that only points designated by competent local authorities are included and do not include any space decided by any citizen”.
The letter states the prohibition in Article 5(2)(ka) “concerns only feeding and watering sites for stray animals designated by competent local authorities, and regarding feeding methods in common areas of apartment buildings, the matter requires settlement by management committees”.
“They tell us the opinion is confidential. We asked for it, but they won’t provide it. Since when do legal interpretations bypass Parliament and acquire the force of law?” Stylianou questions.
She adds: “Our humble opinion is that the Attorney General cannot enact laws but interpret existing laws approved and voted on by parliament”.
Immediate intervention sought
The Argos Shelter president appeals to competent authorities: “We seek clear positioning. Laws exist. If authorities don’t want to enforce them, then let them take responsibility for caring for cats themselves. Otherwise, let animal lovers do what the state refuses”.
The situation requires immediate action and coordination between ministries, the Attorney General’s Office, police and local authorities. As confusion continues, animals suffer and citizens clash in a society called to prove its civilisation not only through laws but actions.
The Cyprus Animal Welfare Organisations Federation “Cyprus Voice for Animals” has been requesting official clarification from the Agriculture Ministry and Attorney General’s Office for months.
Federation president Mary Chrysochou-Anastasi states, “It’s inconceivable to follow an opinion contradicting legislation’s spirit – animal protection. Animals cannot be left hungry and exposed for ‘nuisance’ reasons”.
The Ministry, in a January 2023 announcement, emphasised it does not support removing feeding containers under any circumstances, as this contradicts the basic principle of animal freedom from hunger and thirst. However, expected coordination with the Attorney General’s Office has not occurred.
Animal welfare organisations warn that if feeding and care programmes continue weakening, cats will return to streets, yards, schools and workplaces, causing multiple problems. “If we stop caring, the place will fill with cats, with tragic consequences for them and humans,” volunteers say.
Furthermore, it is noted that “with the police decision not to generally investigate destruction of cat feeding sites, it not only leaves animals hungry, but forces disputing citizens to sort it out amongst themselves with all that this entails”.