Cyprus to Toughen Penalties for Animal Cruelty

The authorities in the Republic of Cyprus are planning to increase penalties for animal cruelty. Members of the House of Representatives have approved a bill that strengthens animal protection by introducing stricter punishments.

The aim of the proposed law is to amend the Animal Protection and Welfare Act to enhance the effectiveness and deterrent effect of the current penalties for cruelty. The new penalties will include fines of up to €20,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 24 months for a first offense. For second or subsequent offenses, fines could rise to as much as €30,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 36 months.

During the discussion of the bill, it was highlighted that the need for tougher laws had arisen due to recent cases of animal cruelty and killings, which revealed that existing penalties were failing to achieve their intended goals.

However, some lawmakers expressed concerns about the bill. They argue that the new rules might not improve the living conditions of animals and could, in fact, lead to further cruelty—particularly regarding the size of cages. There were also mentions of gaps in regulations and shortcomings in monitoring and oversight. MPs have expressed hope that these issues will be addressed in further discussions with the Minister of Agriculture.