The mass poisoning of 21 dogs in a village in Halkidiki peninsula has triggered an widespread outrage not only in the local community. The dogs were taken care by a local livestock breeder who kept them in a property according to the law of the animal welfare.
The dogs, 14 adult animals and seven puppies, were found dead by the livestock breeder on Saturday evening. The man was keeping the former strays a property near the Vardos village in northern Halkidiki.
Speaking to state broadcaster
ERT3, breeder and dogs caretaker Panagiotis Rafail said that he managed to rescue only four animals.
“Some were found dead. Some were still alive. Two are missing,” Rafail said recalling the horror on Saturday evening.
“I tried to save them with salt water to induce vomiting so they would get rid of the poison,” he said adding that “most of the dogs did not survive, only about four were saved.”
He said that poisoned food, a mixture of potatoes, pasta and dog food, was apparently mixed with a big portion of pesticide.
“The issue is that there are scattered baits here in the area”, he added.
Rafail informed the local authorities right after the horrible discovery and his efforts to save the poisoned animals.
According to officials, the animals were micro-chipped, and the females had been sterilized as provided by the law.
Police have collected samples from the animals and ordered autopsies, while it seeking surveillance footage from CCTV cameras in the area.
Under the animal welfare law, animal poisoning is a criminal offense with severe penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to 30,000 euros per killed animal.
*thumbnail: archive picture
give him what he gave to dogs
This abuse will never stop in Greece.