About 17 dogs remain at the informal shelter in Ayioi Trimithias, after over a dozen were removed by animal welfare organisations, following complaints about neglect that prompted a visit by the Veterinary Services.

Veterinary Services officer Yiannis Ioannou told the Cyprus News Agency that the shelter was in need of improvements, however no animal was found to be ill or malnourished.

He added that the services maintained good relations with the community leader of Ayioi Trimithias, who had undertaken to make improvements.

Ioannou said the site formerly operated as a dog breeding facility, which had not been used for about a decade.

Ayioi Trimithias community leader Savvas Trimithiotis said the owner had agreed to its temporary use as a dog shelter, to prevent them from being euthanised if no one was found to adopt them 15 days after they were captured.

Trimithiotis said the shelter received a small number of dogs, however it suddenly found itself with about 20 dogs, which had been roaming areas of Meniko as a pack.

Meniko community leader Andreas Kalogirou said dozens of dogs had formed packs in the area and were becoming aggressive at times.

He said the police, the Game Fund and the local government had been informed, to no avail, so the community council acted itself and managed to capture about 20 dogs, which it handed over to the shelter.

The Veterinary Services had received a number of complaints and visited the shelter, where it found over 30 dogs, as well as about a dozen puppies.

Ioannou said many of the dogs were taken by animal welfare organisations and that efforts were being made for the remaining dogs to be adopted.

Trimithiotis said the shelter yard would be improved, stainless steel water bowls would be installed and the dogs would be given raised areas for sleeping.

All expenses, including cleaning and dog food, had so far been covered by the community.