Registration of dogs / Renewal of dog licence

In accordance with the Dog Ownership Law (N184(1)/2002 and as later amended) no-one is entitled to own a dog unless they have obtained a dog ownership licence issued by the competent authority (the designated authority within the Sotira Municipal territory being Sotira Council).

In order for a licence to be issued, the applicant needs to submit an application form together with the following papers:

(a) health certificate or a health record booklet issued by a registered veterinary surgeon;

(b) certificate of registration and permanent microchip tagging by the Manager of the Government Veterinary Services;

(c) receipt for payment of the dog ownership fee.

Article 18 of the Dog Law advocates that if any person:

(a) owns a dog without a dog licence or without a certificate of registration and microchipping;

(b) owns a dog in breach of the law;

(c) commits fraud or acts with intent to mislead the competent authority or the Manager with regard to the registration or the control of dogs in accordance with the present law;

(d) abandons his dog or does not take the necessary measures to stop the dog from escaping;

(e) allows the dog in his ownership or guardianship to:

i.   cause annoyance with its loud and continuous barking;

ii. pollute the streets or any other public areas by defecating and fails to pick up the feces;

iii. roam the streets or any other public or private grounds without being on a leash or restrained in any way;

iv. harass or cause damage to game or the premises of the Game Protection Authority or any other areas under the protection of the above-mentioned authority;

(f) is in breach of the present law in any way

is considered guilty of committing an offence. When an offender is charged for the first time, he will either be sentenced to prison for a length of time no longer than twelve months or he will be fined an amount not exceeding one thousand seven hundred and eight euro and sixty cents (€1708,60); it is also possible that he might be given both sentences. Should the same offender be found guilty a second or third time, the prison sentence will extend to a maximum of twenty four months while the fine will increase to a maximum amount of three thousand four hundred and seventeen euro and twenty cents; there is also a possibility of incurring both sentences.

In accordance with articles 5D and 5K(1) of the Protection of the Beach Law, ch;59, it is forbidden to take dogs for a walk along the beach or to let them bathe in the sea.

Hence, all dog owners are called upon to obtain a dog license and implement the abovementioned laws so as to avoid contravening the law.

This must also be considered as personal notice to all of the aforesaid dog owners. In the event of non-compliance, all measures provided in the relevant legislation will be taken without further notice.