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Cruelty to Companion Animals

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

― Edmund Burke 

Cruelty to Companion Animals (Dogs, cats, pets at home)

WHY?-

WHY is it important to report animal abuse!

“If somebody is harming an animal, there is a good chance they also are hurting a human,”

(Read the full article on the Federal Bureau of Investigations official website here: https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/-tracking-animal-cruelty )

“By paying attention to [these crimes], we are benefiting all of society.”

“The National Sheriffs’ Association was a leading advocate for adding animal cruelty as a data set in the Bureau’s collection of crime statistics. The association for years has cited studies linking animal abuse and other types of crimes—most famously, murders committed by serial killers like Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and the “Son of Sam” killer David Berkowitz. The organization also points out the overlap animal abuse has with domestic violence and child abuse.”

Research Shows the Link Between Cruelty to Animals and Toward Humans

Ample research backs up the finding that there is a direct link between acts of cruelty to animals and violence toward humans. This includes child abuse, domestic violence, elder abuse and other violent behavior.

Here are just a handful of examples of the research supporting that conclusion:

A landmark 1997 study by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Northeastern University found that animal abusers are in fact five times as likely to also harm other humans.

Another study, published in 2013, found that 43% of those who commit school massacres also committed acts of cruelty to animals — generally against cats and dogs.

Phil Arkow, coordinator of the National Link Coalition — a group focusing on the intersection between violence toward animals and humans — has written often about animal abuse being an indication of domestic violence, or what’s called a “predictor crime.”

Indeed, a 1983 study notes that animal abuse was found in 88% of homes in which physical child abuse was being investigated.

If a child is cruel to animals, research shows it may be a sign that serious abuse or neglect has been inflicted on the child. Children who witness animal abuse are at greater risk of becoming abusers themselves.

A 2017 study showed that 89% of women who had companion animals during an abusive relationship reported that their animals were threatened, harmed, or killed by their abusive partner.

This finding is in line with other research showing that domestic violence toward pets both correlates with domestic violence toward humans, and is also a tool of domestic abuse — violent members of the household will threaten to hurt or actually hurt a companion animal as a method of control and a form of emotional violence. Indeed, more than half of women in domestic violence shelters report that they delayed their escape out of fear for their animals.

“It is our responsibility to report suspected animal abuse.”

11 signs of animal cruelty

1

POOR BODY CONDITION ORVISIBLE TRAUMA
Signs include severe fur matting, filthy coat, open soars or obvious wounds. May be
flea/tick infested. Underweight with visible bones. May be limping or unable to walk
normally, or have congested eyes or ears. In obvious physical distress, in need of
veterinary care.

2

LACK OF FOOD OR WATER
The animal has no obvious sources of food/water. It may be aggressive due to
starvation/thirst, and perhaps lethargic as well.

3

LACK OF ADEQUATE SHELTER
Animal is contained in an area fully exposed to inclement weather or constant sun,
or is in an unattended vehicle during warm or hot weather. In less than 10 minutes
a vehicle’s internal temperature can cause heat stroke, permanent nerve/organ
damage or death in dogs.

4

LACK OF SANITATION

Feces/debris covers the animal’s living area.

5

ABANDONED
Animal is left in a house or yard that appears empty. Be extra vigilant if a neighbor
has moved or stopped visiting a residence where you know animals live. A dog
howling or barking for several hours is sending a signal it needs immediate,
life-saving care.

6

ANIMAL IS CAGED OR TIED
It has little room to move, and/or is unable to stand or turn.

7

CHAINS OR PADLOCKS AROUND OR EMBEDDED INTO THE ANIMAL’S NECK
This includes regular collars as well; a chained animal is an abused animal.

8

EVIDENCE OF BEING TRAINED OR HAVING BEEN USED TO FIGHT
You may see training implements, such as treadmills or spring poles. More likely
you’ll notice obvious signs of trauma, such as scars, open wounds, infections, even
missing body parts, such as ears, eyes, partial tails.

9

ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR
Animal may be very aggressive or severely shy, e.g., cowering, hiding, fear-biting,
even with or especially with its owner.

10

TOO MANY ANIMALS ON ONE PROPERTY
This can be a sign of animal hoarding; note the condition of the animals on the
property.

11

OWNER IS OBSERVED COMMITTING VIOLENCE AGAINST THE ANIMAL
Person is witnessed striking, kicking or otherwise physically abusing the animal.

TAKE ACTION!

1
BE PREPARED

Know where to report! Program the number for your local
police department, muncipality or goverment vet services numbers
 into your phone. (Info provided below)

2
SPEAK UP

If you witness or suspect overt violence
against an animal, say something! Call
the competent authority or the police (step #1) or
immediately. Violence against
animals is often a predictor of violence
against people.

3
DOCUMENT

Describe as many details of the
situation to responding police, vet services or competent authority
, including date, time,
location, number/type of animals
involved, names of other witnesses. Ensure you provide a written statement and ask for a acknowledgment reciept that they have recieved your written statement
Additionally gather evidence take pictures/video with your mobile
phone and remain on scene until law
enforcement arrives only if you can do
so safely. Take down the badge number, name and details of the person that is taking your statement.

4
PREPARE TO TESTIFY

A human witness is crucial for a strong,
prosecutable case, which will be
stronger if you don’t remain
anonymous.

WHERE?-

Where do I report animal Abuse

According to the legislation which provides for the protection and safeguarding the health and welfare of animals 46 (I) 94 complaints should be reported to the Competent Authority, which is the Director of  Veterinary Services and any State Veterinary Officer.

According to the Dog Law 184 (I) 2002 complaints should be reported to the competent authority and in this case, are

-The Municipalities and Communities

Very Important! Complaints must also be made at

-The District Animal Welfare Committee where usually the District Veterinary Officer is the Chairman. Members of those committees are representatives of NGOs

-Cyprus Police and the police station of your district.

Contact information

REPORTING CRUELTY TO COMPANION ANIMALS TO THE CYPRUS POLICE

Complaints of mistreatment can be made to any police station. Always remember to keep all details and info of the whole process such as the name of the police officer, who took your statement (or refused to do so)

Here you’ll find the link to the Cyprus police:
http://www.police.gov.cy/police/police.nsf/index_gr/index_gr?opendocument
The webpage is in both languages Greek and English. To find out the police station in cities or villages you
only have to go to the left of the page titled District Police stations.

If this process is difficult for you then you only have to phone 22808040,808080 and ask the operator to connect you directly with the police station of your interest

COMPETENT AUTHORITY – MUNICIPALITIES / COMMUNITIES

Complaints concerning the basis of the above legislation should be made to local municipalities and
communities. To help you we give you here the link:
http://ucm.org.cy/Index.aspx here you will find all the Municipalities of Cyprus and contact numbers.
For communities link here: http://www.ekk.org.cy/index.shtm
Always remember to ask the competent person who is authorized to handle animal welfare issues and complains from the public.

 

 

ANIMAL WELFARE LAW 46 (I) 94 COMPETENT AUTHORITY (VETERINARY SERVICES)

NICOSIA – District Veterinary
TEL. + 357-22805240 / 1, Fax: + 357-22805174.
E-mail: [email protected]

LIMASSOL – District Veterinary
TEL. + 357-25819512 / 1, Fax: + 357-25306544. 2
E-mail: [email protected]

LARNACA – District Veterinary
TEL. + 357-24821275 / 6, Fax: + 357-24304270
E-mail: [email protected]

AMMOCHOSTOS – District Veterinary
TEL. + 357-24824555, Fax: + 357-24722811
E-mail: [email protected]

PAPHOS – District Veterinary
TEL. + 357-26821260, Fax: + 357-26306198
E-mail: d[email protected]

NICOSIA – HEADQUARTERS AND PROTECTION OF ANIMAL WELFARE
TEL. + 357-22805253 / 236/250, Fax: + 357-22805176
E-mail: [email protected]

HOW?-

HOW do I report animal Abuse

Be Prepared

Before making an animal cruelty/neglect complain

-Know where to report!  Program the number for your local police department, municipality or government vet services numbers into your phone. (Info provided above)

-Only if it is a case of mild neglect you could try and reason and advise the person on proper animal welfare or ask from an animal welfare organisation to come with you, sometime people are just ignorant through culture and tradition and by making them aware they could take your advice and listen and take action It is important to never approach anyone when you are alone, never argue or create a conflict as the person may be dangerous and could result to even more abuse to the animal after you leave or even worse he/she could also threaten you with force.

-If the person in question refuses to listen and act, then it is your responsibility to report it as an animal cruelty case to the competent. Remember the poor animal has no voice, be his voice!

-In the event it is a severe case of animal cruelty then you should not try and reason with anyone but instead take action and contact the police immediately! 

-Remember if you see someone who is cruel try to keep calm, be cautious as this person could be dangerous call for help make a noise and try and get as much information about the crime being performed as possible, get car registration number etc., be vigilant of the surroundings take a visual picture of who is around (Vehicles type and brand or registration numbers, people, etc.)

-Where possible collect evidence such as pictures/video from your mobile phone and remain on scene until law enforcement arrives only if you can do so safely.

Document

Before contacting the competent authority make sure you have the following information

-The exact address where you witnessed the cruelty

-If other people were present make sure you get their names and phone numbers and inform them that you will be providing their information when you call the to report the abuse

-If you saw someone committing animal cruelty and have their info, make sure you have it ready to be able to report it, make a description of the approx. person’s age, body type or vehicle and surroundings anything that could help the authorities in the case the more info the better.

-If you have the time write down the statement that you will be reporting before calling the authorities, just to make sure you don’t forget anything out.

-Additionally gather evidence take pictures/video with your mobile phone and remain on scene until law enforcement arrives only if you can do so safely.

– Never put yourself in danger! Do not enter another person’s property without permission, and exercise great caution around unfamiliar animals who may be frightened or in pain.

Speak Up do not be afraid

If you witness or suspect overt violence against an animal, say something! Call the competent authority or the police (step #1) or immediately. Violence against animals is often a predictor of violence against people you could be saving someone’s life too!

– Describe as many details of the situation to responding police, vet services or competent authority, including date, time, location, number/type of animals involved, names of other witnesses. Be as accurate as possible.

– Where possible provide evidence, pictures/video from your mobile phone and remain on scene until law enforcement arrives only if you can do so safely.

-Ensure you provide a written statement and ask for an acknowledgment receipt that they have received your written statement.

-Take down the badge number, name and details of the person that is taking your statement.

– Describe as many details of the situation to responding police, vet services or competent authority additionally ·

Make a statement in the event that there was any dead body of an animal, if you have spotted some kind of poison, cages, traps, tools etc

Remember that accurate information will strengthen law enforcement.

If you have any evidence make sure you make a copy for yourself, ask the authority to give you a copy of your statement if it is taken in person

Never give away a document without making a copy for yourself!

Before leaving ask the authority what action is planned, get a time frame and dates when action will be taken.

Ask the Competent Authority to notify you in writing about the results of the investigation.

FOLLOW UP 

When you report animal cruelty, keep a careful record of exactly whom you contacted, the date of the contacts, copies of any documents you provided to the appropriate authority and the content and outcome of your discussion. This will make following up much easier.

If you do not receive a response from the officer assigned to your case within a reasonable length of time, make a follow-up call to inquire about the progress of the investigation. As a last resort, and only if you are reasonably certain that no action has been taken on your complaint, you may wish to contact the head of the Veterinary Services or the Head of the Police to request action (Address, Telephone numbers. Fax, Email)

Please keep in mind that both Law Enforcement Authorities operate with limited personnel and resources and most of the times would not react on time. Keep calling them to find out the outcome of yours complain.

Can I contact the Animal Party Cyprus about a cruelty case?

Of course we are here to help however in order for us to assist you must be willing to report the case to the authorities listed above for us to be able to follow up on a case.

In the event that you are trying to report an animal cruelty case and the authorities listed above are not responding or willing to take a statement make sure you take down their names, their position, if the police then their badge number and contact us on [email protected] with the information of the person and organisation that would not take your statement.