New shelter lockdown

A SECOND dog shelter has been put into lockdown following the outbreak of a deadly animal virus — as the head of Kyrenia Animal Rescue (KAR) said it was “getting on top” of the epidemic.

Cyprus Today reported last week that stringent measures had been put in place at KAR’s rescue centre in Arapköy to prevent the spread of canine distemper following the death of around 80 dogs.

On Thursday the Veterinary Department announced that it had halted activity at the İskele Municipality pound after around 100 dogs there died from the disease.

Among the remaining 105 dogs, five were said to be in a critical condition and all are currently receiving treatment.

Veterinary Department head Hüseyin Benal said that the situation was “under control” and that dogs at the shelter had been vaccinated.

“We have also alerted all municipalities . . . as it is something that came from the community and not from within the shelters,” he said.

“There have been no other diagnoses of the disease.”

Mr Benal added that some suspected cases of canine distemper in Lefkoşa had not been confirmed.

“Such diseases are more of a risk in . . . places such as shelters where diseases can easily spread,” he said.

“There is still a risk for pets, but the risk of their being infected is very low as they live in a more hygienic environment and have their routine vaccinations.

“If pet owners are suspicious of any illness of any kind — as this disease starts with flu-like symptoms which then causes the paws to

harden and loss of teeth — they should visit their nearest veterinary clinc for a diagnosis and necessary treatment.”

He added: “Our aim is to protect the welfare of these dogs that are strays and have been abandoned and to afford them their rights.”

İskele Mayor Hasan Sadıkoğlu stressed that staff had been “doing the best they can” for the welfare of the dogs and asked members of the public to be “sensitive during this period”.

He said municipal workers had buried the animal carcasses in a pit covered with lime in a bid to prevent the virus spreading after their original plan to take them for incineration in Lefkoşa was deemed too risky.

Head of the Cyprus Turkish Veterinarians’ Union Umut Sayılı said treating canine distemper could take several weeks because of the risk of “chronic damage” to dogs.

He also urged dog owners to check that their pets’ vaccinations were up to date.

KAR chairman Margaret Ray said that the rate of dogs dying at their site had fallen following the introduction of emergency measures, with 15 deaths this week following the initial 80.

“We are hopeful and believe that we’re getting on top of it as we have fewer dogs who are falling ill,” she said.

Mrs Ray also said KAR’s pet travel vehicle, which is “routinely disinfected”, and its offices and shops had not been contaminated.

An online KAR appeal launched last Friday at gofundme.com to raise £4,800 to cover the cost of medication and vet bills had raised nearly £2,300 yesterday.

The charity said it had received “overwhelming” support since the disease was confirmed but was still in need of donations of bleach.

Its annual Dog Show and Spring Fayre, which had been due to take place on Sunday, April 29, has been postponed to September.

Meanwhile Animal Party leader Kyriacos Kyriacou was reported as saying that there had been no cases of canine distemper in South Cyprus.