Remand for owner of dead dogs

A 40-YEAR-OLD Greek man was on Saturday remanded in custody for three days in connection with the death of 17 hunting dogs at breeding facility in Aradippou, Larnaca.

Police investigator Stelios Kousiappas told the court that the animals were found dead on Friday afternoon at the facility in the Aradippou farming area.

Officers visited the facility after the owner of the property complained that his tenant, Michael Lysgaris, a resident of Tsakkilero, had not been to the farm in around three weeks.

No one else had fed or watered the dogs.

Four alive but malnourished dogs were found and were taken to a dog shelter for treatment.

The dead dogs were buried by the municipality’s veterinary services.

Two other dogs found in the area were strays wandering outside the fence.

The suspect claimed his car had broken down and because he did not have money to repair it he could not take food and water to the animals.

He also alleged that the deaths could have been caused by snake bites. A poisonous snake had been seen in the area recently, the suspect said.