A country’s index of civilisation is found in the way its people treat animals, Disy MP Savia Orphanidou said on Wednesday after a House environment committee meeting that discussed harsher penalties for animal abuse.

Orphanidou, who had tabled a bill on behalf of Disy’s parliamentary group, said after the meeting that animal abuse, including the latest incidents, honoured no one.

“In this framework, I tabled a bill with the aim of making animal abuse penalties stricter, amending the law on the protection and welfare of animals, which was discussed at the environment committee” on Wednesday, she said.

She added that for such an amendment to have any meaning, it was necessary to implement the existing legislation.

“That is why we are urging all involved parties to promote measures and actions that will strengthen the authorities” in their effort to address such phenomena, Orphanidou said.

The MP added that the committee had decided to request information on convictions so far for animal abuse and the penalties given.

“At the same time, we will ex officio register the issue of how the legislation is implemented,” she said.

Orphanidou thanked “all those involved for their positive approach towards the bill, which we expect will be led to the plenum for voting, and at the same time we reiterate and will insist on the proper implementation of this legislation and the strengthening of the authorities so that they can do their job properly.”