Attorney-General George Savvides on Tuesday called for the law on harming animals to be amended.

In an open letter to the government, he expressed concern at an “increasing rate of instances of offences in which people cause harm and even death to animals”, and as such called for action.

He said a bill should be prepared which “provides for a penalty to act as a deterrent to any would-be offender”.

Such deterrent penalties, he said, should constitute heavier fines and even custodial sentences.

A total of 150 incidences of animal abuse were reported in Cyprus last year – an increase of 60 per cent compared to the 90 reported in 2023.

Police spokeswoman Nicoleta Tyrimou had said on Sunday that part of the reason for the sharp rise in reports was a “growing public awareness” of the matter. In other words, she said, people are now more willing to report incidences of abuse.

A bill aimed at bringing about harsher penalties for those found guilty of animal abuse was tabled at the House environment committee last week by Disy MP Savia Orphanidou.

She said she expects her bill to eventually be put before a plenary session of parliament, while also calling for legislation on the matter to be “properly implemented”.

Earlier in the year, the Cyprus society for the protection of animals had announced plans to report the Cypriot government to the Council of Europe, citing severe failings in enforcing animal welfare laws following the revealing of squalid conditions of a dog shelter.