A total of four incidents of dog and fox poisoning were recorded in the last three months in areas of the British Bases of Akrotiri and Episkopi, with the Bases' Environment Department expressing serious concerns for wildlife and protected bird species.
According to a statement by the British Border Service, all incidents were detected in Special Protection Areas and Special Conservation Areas, in collaboration with the British Base Authorities and the Republic of Cyprus, since in one case, the poisonous baits were detected by the dogs of the Poisoned Bait Detection Team of the Game and Fauna Service.
Alexia Perdiou, Senior Environmental Officer of the BB, warned that the use of poisons can have devastating consequences for species such as the vulture, which feeds on the corpses of other animals and can be affected by secondary poisoning.
“The placement of poisoned baits is likely to be done to address problems that livestock farmers have with foxes, but it may also be the result of rivalries between people who illegally train dogs in the affected areas,” he adds.
Ms. Perdiou reminded that the training of hunting dogs is prohibited on British Bases and offenders are subject to an extrajudicial fine of €300 and, in the event of conviction, to imprisonment for up to two years or a fine of up to €3.417.
The British Bases Police are investigating the incidents and samples have been sent to the General Chemistry Laboratory of the Republic for toxicological tests to determine the poisonous substance.
At the same time, both the Police and the British Bases Environment Department have launched intensive campaigns against the illegal training of hunting dogs, while the Poisoned Bait Detection Team of the Game and Wildlife Service patrols the areas on a regular basis.
British Bases urges citizens to report incidents of illegal dog training or other information that may be related to the use of poisoned baits to the British Police, on telephone number 1443 or to make an anonymous complaint on 97720883.
