The Famagusta police began the investigation after it became known about the dismemberment of a carcass of kangaroo migrants in the parking lot of the residential complex.
It turned out that the animal was purchased in a neighboring nursery, which contains other kangaroo. The owner of the nursery has already been questioned, and the presence of all the necessary permits for the maintenance of exotic animals is checked.
The veterinary service noted that it does not have complete information about the content of exotic species on the island, which makes it difficult to conduct preventive inspections.
The senior employee of the veterinary service John John emphasized that the cutting of the carcass of any animal outside the approved massacre is illegal and violates both sanitary norms and laws on animal protection.
Although the consumption of Kangaroo meat in the EU is not prohibited, and earlier it has been sold in supermarkets, since 2018, campaigns have been activated to prohibit its use due to accusations of animal abuse.
The Director of the Veterinary Service of Christodulos Pipis recalled that since 2021 it is forbidden to maintain certain species of animals without special permission. Those who already had such animals were required to register them in the competent authorities.
Speaking about the owner, who, supposedly, contained a kangaroo and other exotic animals, the Christmasodulos Pipis noted that he did not submit a mandatory declaration to veterinary services. He emphasized that this, unfortunately, is far from an isolated case.
“Unfortunately, we are faced with a common practice when owners of exotic animals do not declare them, despite the existing legislative requirements. The organs cannot know in advance who and what animals are located, ”Pipis explained.
When asked whether the veterinary services had information about the activities of this farm before the incident, he did not give an unambiguous answer.
In conclusion, he emphasized that the veterinary service in close cooperation with the police continues the investigation, and all materials will be transferred to the competent authorities to institute criminal cases.
“All actions provided for by the current veterinary law will be strictly fulfilled,” he assured.
The Cyprus Party for the Protection of Animal Rights expressed concern in connection with this incident and emphasized the need to enhance control over the content of exotic animals on the island. The organization also called for more strict observance of the law and the conduct of preventive measures to prevent such cases in the future.
The case of the tragic death of a kangaroo became the reason for discussing a number of serious issues regarding the content of exotic animals and monitoring their circulation in the territory of Cyprus:
On what basis was permission to maintain a kangaroo if such animals are prohibited to keep in private possessions? A reasonable question arises: did the owner really have an official permission, and if so - for how long it was issued? Or were animals kept illegally, without the knowledge of veterinary services?
Who decides on the maintenance of wild and exotic animals in the zoos of Cyprus, and what are the criteria for selecting such species? Many of them have nothing to do with the natural conditions of the island and the local fauna. How are these practices justified from the point of view of ecology and the protection of biodiversity?
How is monitoring at border points during the import of exotic animals - both legal and illegal? Are there clear tracking mechanisms, do such animals pass a veterinary inspection and are they recorded in the registers?
How effective is veterinary services track and prevent cases of illegal slaughter of animals in households? This shadow process, according to human rights defenders, still takes place, which poses a threat to both animals and people's health-due to the lack of sanitary control.
How do veterinary services react to messages about the illegal sale of kosher meat obtained by slaughter of animals without prior anesthesia? How quickly and efficiently do they act in order to stop the spread of such products that contradict the norms of European legislation?
These issues require urgent and thoughtful consideration by all competent authorities, because we are talking not only about the protection of animals, but also about compliance with public order, hygienic norms and international standards of humane treatment of living beings.
Source: Omegalive.com.cy
