A cat was killed in Paphos. Thirteen pellets were found in its body, and three people were arrested.

Three people have been arrested in connection with the death of a cat in Paphos, whose body was found to contain 13 pellets during an autopsy. The suspects are 18, 18, and 16 years old. The court ordered the first suspect held in custody for four days for investigation purposes.

The case concerns not only the killing of an animal, but also suspicion of illegal possession and transport of a weapon and firing a shot in a residential area. Following the revelations about the incident, the Cypriot Animal Party called for tighter controls on the possession and use of weapons.

The owner found the cat near his house.

The case has begun on Sunday, October 4, 2026A 56-year-old man reported finding his cat dead a short distance from his home.

Officers from the Animal Protection Unit and the Paphos Central Police Station arrived at the scene. They conducted an examination and began investigating the circumstances of the animal's death.

On Monday, an autopsy was performed, revealing the presence of 13 firearm pellets. The first 18-year-old was arrested that same day. Officers searched his home and seized the items for further examination.

Three arrests, including minors among the suspects

On Tuesday, October 6, the Paphos District Court ordered the first suspect to be held in custody for four days.

Police then arrested a second 18-year-old and a 16-year-old. According to information from public broadcaster RIK, both are expected to appear in court. on Wednesday, October 7.

The investigation is being conducted by the Paphos Police Criminal Investigation Department. Officers are investigating the involvement of individual individuals in the incident. Arrests and detention are not a definitive finding.

13 pellets does not mean 13 shots

Some media headlines claimed that the cat was shot 13 times. However, the available information indicates 13 pellets found in the animal's body, not about the confirmed number of shots.

This is a significant difference: a single shotgun shell can contain multiple pellets. Therefore, the autopsy result alone should not be used to determine how many times a firearm has been used.

There is no confirmed motive or detailed course of events. These matters remain the subject of police investigations.

A call for tougher gun control

The Cyprus Animal Party is demanding more effective procedures for issuing permits and checking people who already own weapons.

The demands include a more thorough assessment of their predispositions, checking the safe storage of weapons and strong enforcement of regulations in cases of illegal use.

The group also draws attention to shootings in residential areas. It believes such incidents require greater emphasis on threat prevention, as human safety and animal protection are intertwined.

The investigation also concerns the safety of residents

The party is calling for better cooperation between the police and animal protection units. It demands that any suspicion of animal abuse or killing with a weapon be treated with due seriousness.

In the Paphos case, officers are investigating both the death of the cat and the circumstances of possession, transport and use of the weapon. As of the evening of October 6, three arrests had been confirmed. Further investigations are aimed at clarifying the course of the incident and the role of each suspect.

Sources: RIK, Cyprus Mail, Politis.