The Green Party has called on police to investigate after the remains of several dogs were found in a ditch in a Nicosia village on Friday.

The remains of the animals were found wrapped in garbage bags. The animals showed clear signs that they “were tortured and abused” before they were eventually killed, according to the party.

“We call on the police to immediately investigate the recent incident of animal abuse and killing and to bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice,” the announcement said.

Commenting on the recent cabinet decision to create a special police unit for the handling of animal abuse cases, the party called it a “half measure” and said the government should have assigned that responsibility to an “animal friendly” team instead of giving already established officers an “additional task”.

“It is time for exemplary fines to be implemented to the offenders and for their prosecution to be immediate,” added the Greens.

The party’s animal welfare action unit is handling the incident.