SBA cracks down on illegal dog hunters

The Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) police are set to begin a campaign cracking down on illegal dog hunters in the Akrotiri, Episkopi and Paramali protected areas.

An SBA statement on Thursday said so far 12 people have been fined, with police using drones to check large natural habitat areas affected by the illegal activity.

The law states that it is prohibited to train or exercise hunting dogs, or to allow them to roam unless accompanied and controlled with a lead.

Offenders are liable to a fine of €300, or, if convicted, to up to two years imprisonment or a potential €3,417 fine.

“During the first days of the operations a number of people with several dogs were reported but by the end of the last two weeks of intensive operations the illegal activity stopped completely at all areas,” SBA police officer Kyriakos Sarris said.

“Operations using drones and other specialised equipment will continue to take place.”

SBA police environment officer Alexia Perdiou said dog training is a very damaging activity, especially for ground-nesting birds who abandon their nests when approached by a dog.

“This often results in the loss of clutches or the abandonment of a breeding ground altogether,” she said.

“The SBAs are important breeding sites for many protected birds. Safeguarding a favourable conservation status for these birds has top priority for the authorities but we can all help by not undertaking activities that jeopardise their survival.”

Any illegal dog training activity should be reported to the SBA Police on 1443.