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Animal abuse: Supreme Court prosecutor urges arrests, quick trials for offenders

The Deputy Prosecutor of the Supreme Court has urged judicial and police authorities to not hesitate and proceed with arrests and trials of those abusing animals. The circular issued by the deputy prosecutor comes after the shocking cases of dogs abuse in Chania and Nikaia and commitment by the Agricultural ministry that “animal abuse will be classified as felony.

The circular by the Super Court deputy prosecutor points out at the need for immediate supervision for law enforcement in any case of abuse, cruel behavior, degrading treatment of animals, and requests the immediate implementation of judicial procedures.

It orders prosecutors to mobilize police authorities for the observance of the law and the arrest of the perpetrators in cases of animal abuse.

Deputy prosecutor Olga Sm…. urges judicial authorities to address immediately and act urgently, when they receive reports, lawsuits, information, internet posts, complaints, etc., regarding violations of the provisions of the Animals Protection Law and especially for cases of torture and abuse of animals and for cases of non-compliance with the obligations of animals’ owners and especially concerning non-compliance with the rules of animal welfare.

SM  refers especially to cases of torture, abuse, ill and cruel treatment of any kind of animal, as well as any act of violence against it, in particular poisoning, hanging, drowning, burning, crushing and mutilation.

The circular also draws attention to prosecutors’ duties towards the competent services of the Municipalities in each region that have fulfill their obligations, for the collection and management of stray animals.

An animal is to temporarily or permanently removed from the possession of an offender and be handed out to a Municipality animal shelter or to an interested animal welfare company or association, the circular notes among others..

And if the treatment of the animal is particularly cruel and cruel and caused particular pain or fear to the animal, the final removal and by your order, prohibit the acquisition of another animal by the offender.

The Supreme Court deputy prosecutor officially also adopt the thesis that there is a relation between animal abuse and abuse of children and vulnerable people.

Animal Abuse to be classified as Felony

Last Thursday, Agricultural Development & Foods Minister Makis Voridis said that following the rise of animal abuses the crime will soon be punished as a felony rather than a misdemeanor, as nowadays.

In a ministry statement Voridis said that “incidents of violence against animals have no place in a well-ordered state and are a serious insult to both the state and Greek society.”

Responding to media reports last week of the torture and mutilation of a dog on Crete by its owner, Voridis expressed his abhorrence and said he would soon introduce an update to domestic animal abuse law in parliament. 

Animal Welfare societies in Greece reacted with reservations to the Ministry’s announcement stating that it is up to the Justice Ministry to legislate and that the felony charges could mean also punishment for those breeding fur animals like in northern Greece.

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3 comments

  1. I Will NOT put my feet on the land of Greece until all these horrors towards animals Will stop!! Been following For years abusing, torturing, poisoning, skinning alive, drowning, abonding In the middle of nowhere To starve and die, suffering, all strays and domestic pets. Residents of Greece are uneducated uncivilized monsters. Still they fake To tourists To make More money!! Huh.

    • patrick fitzgerald

      Strong words indeed and often justified however I feel it is unfair to label and judge an entire population based on the disgusting behavior of a few monsters.

    • Totally agree with Patrick… of any country, culture, group… everyone… Don’t judge all by the actions of one. Let me remind you that the Takis Shelter is in Greece and we see nothing but love for animals there…