Training Facility for Hunting Dogs

The Game and Fauna Service grants a license for establishing and operating a training facility for hunting dogs, to physical persons or legal entities, provided that:

• the applicant must be 18 years of age and above (applies to physical persons);
• has not been convicted of an offence involving the protection and welfare of animals in violation of the provisions of the Law over the last five (5) years (applies to both physical persons or legal entities);
• has attended a pertinent training course and has succeeded in a special examination as defined in the provisions of Regulation 8 (see ‘The Protection and Management of Wild Birds and Prey (Hunting Dogs Training Areas) Regulations of 2019″ in the “Applications & Documents“);
• any person involved with the grooming, care and monitoring of animals in the premises possesses a professional animal carer license;
• dog training is always under the responsibility and control of a holder of a professional animal trainer licence;
• written approval from the local authority (e.g. Municipal or Community Council) relating to the location at which the applicant intends to establish and operate a hunting dog training area has been obtained;
• all the necessary permits have been given for fencing, use, and construction of the suitable infrastructure within the hunting dog training area (e.g. town-planning permit for all installations inside the premises/facility);
• the training area is not smaller than one (1) hectare or greater than five (5) hectares;
• the training area is fenced and located at least one (1) km from residential areas, military facilities, sports venues, excursions and camping sites, schools and churches.

The application form (“Type A”) for an authorization to establish and operate a hunting dogs’ training facility can be submitted either through the PSC Cyprus or directly to the competent authority (Head Offices or District Offices of the Game and Fauna Service):

Game and Fauna Service
1453 Nicosia
Tel.: +357 22867786
Fax: +357 22867780
Email: wildlife.thira@cytanet.com.cy
Website: http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/wildlife/

1. The application form must be accompanied by the following documents:

   • original Certificate/Certificate that the person (natural or legal) has not been convicted of an offence involving the protection and welfare of animals in violation of the provisions of the law;
   • a copy of the approval for the use of the site as a hunting dog training area by the local authority;
   • a copy of the topographic design showing the design and dimensions of the facilities where dogs will be kept and trained;
   • a copy of the licence of a professional animal trainer with regards to dog training for every person who will practice the profession of animal trainer.

Upon approval, the applicant pays the fee of €20, as defined in Annex II, (payable at commercial banks or electronically through the JCCSmart website).

Recourse Against A Competent Authority’s Decision

Any person may file recourse with the Administrative court against a decision, act or omission of any competent authority or body.

Pursuant to Article 146 of the Constitution, recourse may be lodged within 75 days of the date of publication of the decision or act or in the event of publication or omission from the day when the act or omission was made aware to the applicant.

The Administrative acts as a cassation Court and not as a substantive Court. In other words, the Administrative Court may:
I. Dismiss the recourse
II. Annul wholly or partially the contested act or omission

After a cancellation decision, the administration must bring things back to the place before the act was issued.

Appeal Information

An appeal may be filed against the Administrative court’s first-instance decision within a period of 42 days from the date of adoption of the decision. During the revisional procedure, the Supreme Court fully revisits the case.

Before the Plenary of the Supreme Court hearing a revisional appeal, the contested issue remains the legality of the action raised in the recourse. However, the revision of the legality of the act is done by the Plenary on the matters and to the extent that the two parties have limited the reasons in the notice of appeal.

The decision adopted by the Plenary is considered final in relation to the matter that has been judged.

• The Protection and Management of Wild Birds and Prey (Hunting Dogs Training Areas) Regulations of 2019

The licensed person for the operation of hunting dogs’ training area (Responsible) shall take all necessary measures for the proper and orderly operation of the hunting dogs’ training area as laid down in the provisions of Regulation 5 in Annex III of the Regulations.