Athens Riot Dog: Loukanikos’ Protester Career is Over

Athens famous riot dog, the “Indignant dog”, the legendary Loukanikos, has ended his career as protester. On Thursday night a report in a Greek news portal and some mentions in Facebook claimed that he was not more in Athens and that he had been apparently adopted by loving pets’ parents and he had moved to Chalkida, some 60 km on the East. “He has all the care, love, food and vaccinations he needs”  NewsBomb.gr reported. This morning, I talked to the people who were taking care of him in Athens. It is confirmed however in a kind of different way: Loukanikos has indeed ended his protester-career.He is not stray anymore, he lives in a home, in Athens, and is being taking care by the same people who provided him with food, water, ticks-collars and medical aid, when needed, all of he time.

 Loukanikos, the stray, whose real name was actually Thodoris, gained world fame for one reason:  he wouldn’t miss a single protest day.

Video for Legendary “Louk” as he was called by his many supporters around the world

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 What if tear gas was fired, there was no air to breath and flares would explode right next to him. Loukanikos was just there to defend the people’s rights barking at riot policemen ( occationally at cabs too).

Loukanikos was brave enough to even catch a tear gas device, if he thought it necessary.

Loukanikos featured by TIME Magazine as Protester …ehm.. “Person of the Year 2011”

He made it to major international media inclusding the Washington Post, a bar in Madrid, Spain, was named after him. BBC wrote about Loukanikos:

“One committed protester was at the front line when Greek police fired teargas at protesters outside parliament on Wednesday.

The dog, thought to be a stray called Loukanikos, or Sausage, has been in the centre of the action for years.”

I hope, he didn’t become part of the system 🙂

Loukanikos – Syntagma: May 2011

Meeting with a riot policeman’s leg: October 2011

 Good to know that Loukanikos is no more exposed to dangers on the streets or protests. He has deserved early retirement or a new career as a pet. For his own shake and protection  🙂