Kitten killed while people eat at Cyprus restaurant

Cats in South Cyprus

The title is correct. A kitten jumped onto a table at the Aglantzia taverna in Nicosia, South Cyprus, the Greek governed part of the country. The table was unoccupied and was close to another table where customers were sitting eating their Greek Cypriot food. There were other clients present.

The restaurant owner was nearby. He had a walking stick. He smashed the kitten across his back. The kitten fell from the table with a broken back and could not move. The kitten thrashed and floundered on the floor. The customers were shouting to stop. A waiter kicked the kitten out of the restaurant. The kitten flew under the wheels of a car and was killed. Such is life and death in a well known, tranquil and charming restaurant in Nicosia, Cyprus. Some customers left immediately.

This sickening and astonishing example of cat cruelty in full view of paying restaurant clientele was reported to the local police. However, it appears that animal cruelty is often brushed under the carpet or kicked into the long grass in sunny charming South Cyprus.

Cats and kittens are a regular feature at restaurants in Cyprus. On the night in question there were lots of them around the restaurant tables. I have seen something similar in Rome, Italy. They can be charming. The customers accept them.

The Argos Animal Sanctuary in Limassol, South Cyprus and local animal activists will do their best to ensure that this animal cruelty, a crime, is not forgotten by the police. A demonstration is planned for 3rd August 2013 outside the restaurant to try and boycott the place.

My gut feeling is that the Greeks have less respect for the cat than the Turkish. As mentioned, South Cyprus is governed by Greece and North Cyprus is governed by Turkey or a Cypriot version of the Turkish government.

Turkey have their own famous cats: the Turkish Angora and Van. Mainland Greece is a tourist attraction and there are plenty of community cats in Greece. They are a feature during the tourist season and poisoned out of season.

Apparently about two years ago a Greek-style mass cat poisoning took place outside the restaurant in question. It appears the event in question was not one-off

There is a pressing need for a properly managed TNR program in South Cyprus. It appears the government just don’t have the will. They prefer to kill or ignore option. Although unlikely, perhaps this event will change things.

Sources:

  • Harvey Harrison (PoC regular)
  • facebook.com/argossanctuary/posts/10151741945824321

Associated: Spotted Street Cats of Cyprus

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72 thoughts on “Kitten killed while people eat at Cyprus restaurant”

  1. Hi, I live in Cyprus and I have cared for 7 stray cats/kittens myself and I agree that cats are treated badly here. But stop getting the facts about Cyprus wrong. Greece is a seperate country and Cyprus is an autonomous country which is NOT governed by the Greeks or Turks.The Northern part of the Island, which is under occupation, is not recognised as a state by any other country than Turkey and has its own government which is not recognised by any other state than Turkey either. So please stop mixing the issue with the cats with politics. I am Greek with both Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot friends and they all tell me the same:that the issue with the cats is an issue in both parts of the island,and that’s what I observe also myself.

    Reply
    • “Northern Cyprus (Turkish: Kuzey Kıbrıs), officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC; Turkish: Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti), is a de facto state that comprises the northeastern portion of the island of Cyprus. Recognised only by Turkey, Northern Cyprus is considered by the international community to be part of the Republic of Cyprus.”

      Reply
  2. Thank you so much for your comment, and I,m not particularly bothered with semantics right now as wether Egypt or Cyprus or China had the first domestic cat. What I am bothered with is the unwanton cruelty that goes on EVERYWHERE. I condemn it and shall do everything in my power to publish the perpetrators of these heinous crimes and make sure maximum publicity is given to this cause. All who wish to join are welcome to contact me via e-mail, facebook or twitter. Thanks and LOLn

    Reply
    • Yes, Michelle, you are writing the human race and as we well know there are many individuals who are very cruel and nasty. There are lots of pages of criticism on PoC of these people.

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  3. I won,t condemn all the CYPRIOT people, but since they claim part of my ENGLISH heritage, they should be renowned the world over as animal lovers! My message to Cyprus, you have along way to go-a human being is characterised by their innate ability to love and cherish what(is seen as) small. Take just one step on the road to humility

    Reply
    • Thanks for visiting and sharing Michelle. Cyprus is the home of the world’s first domestic cat (as far as we currently know). They should set the standard for cat care!

      Reply

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