Cynthia Hayaer, who lives in Lille, is haunted by the fear that Lycos, a three-year-old dog she has been wanting to adopt since the end of January, will disappear forever. When the 20 Minutes visited him for an interview, they were greeted by the barking of a small dog. However, the initial intimidation quickly dissipated, giving way to a quiet exchange with a seemingly harmless animal.
Silence reigns in Mrs Hayaer's large ten-room house, a surprising silence given the presence of fourteen cats. Despite their number, only two made an appearance during the interview. The 47-year-old confides that she took in all these cats on the street. So it's clear that she's used to caring for animals in distress, but her latest experience has left her feeling bitter.
It was at the end of January, close to a Roma camp, that Cynthia spotted Lycosa dog that was visibly ill. After four days of attempts, she and her sister Angel finally managed to approach the dog. Lycos, who was suffering from a double leg fracture, needed medical attention. Wishing to adopt Lycos legally, the sisters turned to the Ligue protectrice des animaux du nord de la France (LPA), which agreed to take charge of Lycos with a view to his adoption.
Lycos, the dog "considered aggressive
A few days later, with no news from Lycos, Cynthia contacted the LPA. She was surprised to learn that Lycos had bitten on several occasions. For Cynthia, who saw the LPA employees use a pole to catch Lycos, it was clear that the dog was upset by the experience. She also mentions that a vet examined Lycos at the pound and assessed his behaviour as presenting a low risk of dangerousness (level two). According to Cynthia, if Lycos had actually bitten, he would have been classified as level three. She even suspects that the association considered euthanising Lycos.
When questioned by 20 Minutes, the LPA confirmed that Lycos had been recovered and taken to the pound, where he is still waiting to find a foster family or an association. The LPA says that although Lycos' behaviour was difficult to manage, there was never any question of euthanising him. The association underlines its commitment to responsible adoption and states that euthanasia is not in line with its values and ethics. The LPA also explains that it visited Cynthia's home and concluded that, given the environmental conditions - notably the presence of fourteen cats, a small nervous dog and a concrete yard - it would not be appropriate to leave Lycos in this environment.
Cynthia Hayaer: an unshakeable passion
Cynthia Hayaer doesn't give up despite the challenges. After launching several petitionsshe joined the Animalist Party. In an open letter addressed to the LPA and Lille town hall, the political party urged these bodies to act for a good cause by allowing Lycos to join the Hayaer family. In addition to these efforts, Cynthia has enlisted the help of a lawyer specialising in animal rights, as well as the support of various associations. She is determined to adopt Lycos, whatever the difficulties.
