Animal Welfare in Greece

[Guest guest]

_____

 

Marijo Gillis [TwinkiePerkyEbby]

Sunday, May 29, 2005 4:25 PM

WAG's Response to the Greek Ministry of Tourism 5/27/2005

 

Kindly bear with me and please read the text of my letter below and the

inane letter from the Greek Ministry of Tourism. These are but a very few

incidents of thousands of animals subject to horrifying abuse and neglect..

Shot and set ablaze

 

 

Check the position of his bodyA shelter in a county of comfort

 

 

 

SHOT

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Katerina Malaxia

The Greek Ministry of Tourism

Athens, Greece

 

Dear Mrs. Malachia;

 

We offer our appreciation that the Ministry of Tourism has had the courtesy

and wisdom to reply to growing, global concern regarding the abusive and

neglectful treatment of animals in Greece.

 

As you recall, the " national cleansing " of Greece's abandoned animals

prior to the onslaught of tourists to the long awaited 2004 Athens Olympic

Games garnered worldwide attention and elicited a global outcry.

 

If we remember correctly, the world press had a field day with the subject.

Fortunately for Greece, and the financially motivated ATHOC led by Mrs.

Angelopoulou Daskalaki; the long reach of ATHOC and the Dimos Athinon's,

public relations " arm " were able to dilute and divert the attention. But we

caution, not 100%. Thankfully, those millions of people encircling the

globe, who respect all life and deem animals, sentient beings, were not

fooled.

 

The National government based in Athens may indeed have had, at one time,

the prudence and common sense to " verbally " condone such actions as

poisoning, hanging and shooting which are commonplace and everyday criminal

actions perpetrated against Greece's companion and farmed animals. But to

whom? The new animal protection law 3170, ignored by all, is a travesty,

and screams for repeal.

 

Unfortunately, the national government led by Mr. Costas Karamanlis has not

once expressed the philosophy that you mention in your response -- to the

citizens of Greece. Not once has any government official in Greece stood

before the people to address, via public proclamation, and condemn the

horrifying issue of animal abuse and neglect which has metastasized across

the nation.

 

Of great concern, according to reports from major animal welfare

organizations and individuals throughout Greece is the fact that a Mrs.

Dile, and a Mr. Stylas, both permanently ensconced as fixtures in the

Ministry of Agriculture for many, many years, have done little to advance

the welfare of animals, both companion and farmed and much to destroy it.

 

It is frightening, but it seems as if Ms. Dile and Mr. Stylas, both civil

servants, have been given carte blanche by the Minister of Agriculture and

his Deputy Ministers to administer their own personal agenda and wreak havoc

with animal welfare in Greece.

 

Further to the issue, the Panhellenic Veterinary Association, a powerful

lobby, wrapping the Ministry of Agriculture around it's fingers, refuses to

allow volunteer vets into the country to perform free spay/ neuter/ tx/ vax,

to help alleviate the suffering of gross overpopulation. The Panhellenic

Veterinary Association can take a silver medal for running a close second

behind Mrs. Dile and Mr. Stylas.

 

Sadly, but ironically fortuitous, as the consequence of indifference on the

part of the central government and the municipalities, the Ministry of

Agriculture, and the general mindset of much of the populace-- the world is

now aware that wanton, criminal acts of abuse and neglect are ignored by

national and municipal officials who are in position by " election " and

therefore obligation to preserve the integrity and the global image of the

Greek state, especially, one would presume, during the tourist season. {May

I add, that the municipality of Athens, under the auspices of Ms. Tonia

Kanellopoulou is attempting to introduce a semblance of control over animal

welfare, but desperately needs to take into consideration the counsel and

input of many more animal welfare advocates throughout Greece and, of

course, foreign ngo's.

 

Tourism a main contributor to Greece's gross national product is of vital

importance to Greece's economy. The Ministry of Tourism has spent millions

of euros to advance a major public relations campaign around the world -

" Live Your Myth " . But you must know, because of the world's escalating

awareness of horrifying abuse and neglect - thanks to photographic

evidence- compassionate people everywhere are voicing their concern and

horror and are resolving to divert their tourist dollars to more gentle

venues. You would be surprised how the plight of all animals and ecological

issues are fast becoming a global priority.

 

Perhaps, it would be prudent for the Greek government, in order to remove

the layers of tarnish from a global image, to prepare a less convoluted

law, paralleling laws of the European Community, advance a campaign for

animal welfare, {low cost spay/neuter/ vaccination/ re homing, public

awareness and humane education in the schools} as is done throughout the

western world.

 

Perhaps after such a wise and compassionate effort, there would be little

need for dramatic public relations programs and massive expenditures to

entice visitors to the most beautiful country in the world. I can only hope

that the government of Greece will open a dialogue with animal welfare

advocates within Greece and animal welfare organizations worldwide.

 

We are at your disposal and do hope to speak with you via telephone.

 

Respectfully and cordially,

 

Marijo Anne Gillis - Founder

Welfare for Animals in Greece

Welfare for Animals Global, Inc.

(WAG New York--a New York City non-profit advocacy & political lobby group--

reaching the world

1775 York Avenue

Suite 7 H

New York, New York 10128

USA

Tel. (212) 427-0587 Fax (212) 427-6381

E-Mail Twinkieperkyebby

Marijo Anne Gillis - Founder

 

" Compassion for all life - the only way to a better world "

-

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Friday, May 27, 2005 7:09 AM

 

The Greek Government condemns any action against animals and expresses it'

s deep sorrow for any unofficial, arbitrary actions that may have caused the

death of some homeless animals in our country.

Our belief is strongly against killing, torturing and generally mistreating

animals and, certainly, the poisoning of stray dogs is totally condemned as

an effective measure to decrease the number of homeless animals in Greece.

The new Greek law for stray animals prescribes the sterilization and the

placing of an electronic ID on every homeless animal and inflicts severe

penalties on those who mistreat animals.

As for the incident that has occurred in Piraeus port on February the 27th,

regarding the 58 dogs of the " Arch Noah " , an association owned by Mrs Silke

Wrobel, that were being transported to Germany and have been detained by the

Ministry of Agriculture, we have been informed that they are already in

Germany. However, we are currently investigating the matter.

On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and the Greek Tourism Organization, we

thank you for your consideration and we remain at your disposal for any

further information or remarks on this matter.