Kittens at a Dali secondary school were reportedly tortured and killed, after they were first spray painted and later hung, with the unknown perpetrators smearing blood on the walls, it was reported Monday.

The president’s special advisor on education, Georgios Skalias condemned the incident in a written statement.

“This tragic incident has turned another black page in the history of our culture,” the president’s advisor said.

Skalias called on people to reflect on their attitudes, saying he has “strong doubts” that we taught and instilled love towards animals in our children.

“All of us, institutional and non-institutional bodies alike, must finally take responsibility,” he added.

News of the recent animal abuse incident was brought to light by the Green Party.

The Greens said they sought to draw attention to the case to assist the Nicosia animal police unit, calling on anyone with information of the incident to contact the authorities.

The party said they were informed of the killings which occurred last Thursday, stating that a mother cat and her three kittens were previously being cared for by people at the school.

The fact that the cats were spraypainted indicates a premeditated attack, the Greens said, adding that those who committed the torture and killings must be brought to justice.

“If we wish to be viewed as a civilised people then we must respect every form of life, especially animals,” Anthi Mouzouri of the Greens said, adding that the party will follow the case closely.