By Constantinos Psillides
A BILL setting the guidelines for the creation of an animal welfare agency is expected to be proposed to the Cabinet by the end of the month.
A government announcement said that discussion among stakeholders has already begun at the presidential palace, chaired by the head of the president’s office Panayiotis Antoniou, with the aim to finalise the proposal by the end of the month.
Present at the meeting were Environment commissioner Ioanna Panayiotou, Volunteerism commissioner Yiannis Yiannaki, deputy director of veterinary services Popi Stylianou and other officials.
The stakeholders are also expected to meet with Interior minister Socratis Hasikos and Justice minister Ionas Nicolaou, followed by meetings with political parties and animal welfare NGOs.
Another bill reforming animal welfare is also currently being discussed at the House Environment committee.
On Monday, the Cabinet approved a bill amending the law on dogs, which provides for heavy fines and speedier enforcement when it comes to owners who do not abide by the law.
The amendment provides for fines for not installing microchips on dogs and not registering them with local authorities, for not keeping an animal’s health records, for keeping pets on balconies, roof tops, or common yards in apartment buildings, for not cleaning after a dog when walking it, for not having a collar on a dog clearly identifying the owner, as well as for barking that disturbs neighbours.
Larger fines of €150 will be imposed on owners of unregistered dogs considered as ‘dangerous breeds’ as well as on vets who do not register them if they are treating such pets.
The bill has taken three years to prepare with input and suggestions from local authorities, government bodies working with animals, animal welfare groups and veterinarians.
Discussion on the bill got off to a rough start, as animal NGOs appear unable to reach an agreement in a large number of topics, while local authority representatives told MPs that communities and municipalities cannot afford to operate kennels, which is also stipulated in the bill.
