Revulsion is being caused by new incidents of severe animal abuse in Larnaca and Paphos, with cats being shot in residential areas. In Larnaca, a cat was allegedly shot with an airgun, a fact that poses a direct threat to both animals and public safety.
The fact that a cat was allegedly shot with an airgun inside a residential area in Larnaca is not only an act of barbarity against a defenseless animal but also a direct danger to public safety. When someone carries a weapon and shoots in neighborhoods, outside homes, no one can feel safe. Today the victim is an animal. Tomorrow it could be a human. For this reason, the issue of uncontrolled gun ownership must finally be seriously reviewed by the State.
On the other hand, two incidents of cats being shot in the Paphos district are causing intense concern. In the first case, a male cat was found shot and paralyzed on February 16, 2026, while X-rays confirmed the presence of a bullet in his body. The animal was euthanized. In a second incident, another kitten was found with multiple pellets, reinforcing the image of a recurring criminal pattern.
Animal abuse in residential areas constitutes an issue of public safety and animal welfare.
The Animal Action Group of the Ecologists’ Movement is frequently called upon to handle such complaints, indicating that these are not isolated incidents. Following communication between the “Movement of Ecologists – Citizens’ Cooperation” and the Police, the complainants will visit the Central Police Station of Paphos tomorrow. The Movement demands a full and in-depth investigation of the incidents, the utilization of all scientific evidence, and the strict application of the law, underlining that impunity breeds violence.
