Controversial dog culling allowed in Cyprus — animal rights activists raise the alarm

One of the most high-profile public scandals of recent months is unfolding in Cyprus. The new law on dog ownership, which the authorities spent almost four years preparing and described as a major step forward for animal protection, has unexpectedly become the center of fierce debate. The reason is the parliamentary amendments that effectively repealed part of the reform’s key provisions.

Initially, the law, which entered into force in April 2026, was meant to tighten control over pet owners and reduce the number of abandoned dogs. The legislation banned euthanizing healthy animals, introduced mandatory microchipping for puppies from the age of two months, required a veterinarian to record an animal’s death, and also increased owners’ responsibility for keeping their pets.

However, in May parliament adopted additional amendments that triggered a strong reaction from animal rights activists, veterinarians and civil society organizations. The most controversial provision was the return of the right for the police and the Wildlife Service to destroy stray animals in cases where they may pose a threat to wildlife or agricultural facilities. Critics of the law say the wording is too vague and fear it could lead to the mass shooting of dogs.

Less controversy was caused by the decision to move the mandatory microchipping of puppies from two to six months. According to specialists, early identification is precisely what helps fight animal abandonment and makes it possible to find the owners of lost dogs more quickly. Animal rights activists are convinced that the new rule will only make it harder to control stray animals.

The situation looks especially acute against the backdrop of the pan-European course. In May, the EU Council approved the first common rules for the protection of dogs and cats, providing for mandatory identification and registration of animals to improve traceability and combat the illegal pet trade.

The scandal has become so serious that the government of the Republic of Cyprus has already begun preparing a new bill. The authorities acknowledge that after the changes introduced by parliament, the legislation has become inconsistent and requires urgent adjustment. Officials intend to restore some of the repealed provisions and remove the controversial clauses that triggered public outrage.

Today, animal protection has become one of the most discussed topics on the island. Animal rights organizations are demanding a complete ban on the killing of healthy stray dogs and the retention of mandatory early microchipping, while hunting and farming groups insist on the need to control the number of stray animals. The dispute over the law has already gone far beyond the issue of pets and has turned into a discussion about what the attitude of modern society toward animals should be.