“Let us move toward compassion and away from cruelty, to feel empathy rather than cold indifference, to feel animals’ pain in our hearts.”
A long history of abuse
Visitors to Crete are often dismayed to witness the abuse and neglect that are commonplace in our country.
Greece has a long history of using dogs to guard livestock or property by chaining the dogs to a barrel and leaving them there, often with little or no food and only filthy water to drink, if any.
These dogs spend their entire lives in misery, ending up diseased and deformed from malnutrition and lack of range of movement.
Watch Frida’s rescue
Dog chained all her life cannot walk straight only walks in circles
Fortunately there are now laws in place to prohibit this kind of abuse. However, it is still a huge problem.
Takis Shelter works tirelessly with the municipal police to locate and rescue these poor dogs. They receive veterinary treatment and are rehabilitated at the shelter.
Once the dogs are healthy and adoptable, Takis helps them find a loving, forever home. Could it be yours?
Mumia was locked on a chain for more than 12 years. If you are in Greece and you find a dog locked in a chain in a very bad condition, call the police. Mumia is not on a chain any more. I took her with me and I found her a lovely home in Finland!
Mumia in Finland! She is famous now — she even has her own Instagram page. You can follow her story at #mumiathedog.
How to report animal cruelty in Crete
Help end animal suffering. Be a voice for the voiceless.
Greek Animal Welfare Act, LAW No. 4039
Under the Greek law (Article 16, Law 4039/2012 & Article 1, Law 1197/1981) any of the following acts is considered animal abuse:
Active animal abuse: Poisoning, hanging, drowning, crushing, mutilation, cutting of ears and/or tail, abandonment, neglect, illegal trade, and sexual abuse.
Passive animal abuse: Animals that are constantly being exposed to weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, etc.) on balconies, roof terraces, yards, fields, etc., with no proper, dry and comfortable housing, animals that are constantly chained, that receive improper or no food and/or water, that are not vaccinated and/or de-wormed on a regular basis, who lack veterinary care, daily exercise, and daily walks.
If you are an eye-witness of any such abuse, please be aware of the following:
Immediately call the police (Phone number: 100) so that they can come and record the incident.
Taking pictures of the animal is strongly advised. In cases of passive abuse, pictures of the animal’s daily living conditions are also needed, preferably with a date stamp which can certify the length of the abuse. Please note that taking pictures of the interior of a house, the residents of the premises or any sign that can reveal the specific address are prohibited.
Police officers that arrive on the scene cannot press any charges. Their responsibility is to record the incident and your testimony and also arrest the perpetrator should you be willing to press charges. In cases of active abuse, having more witnesses to confirm the abuse is highly advisable.
To press charges, you must go to the nearest police station or any other police station (either case is totally legal) as soon as possible, at any time during the day, clearly stating the whole situation so that a case file on active/passive animal abuse can be formed against the perpetrator.
Since animal abuse is considered a self-contained offense, it is crucial to report it as soon as you witness it. This way the police have the right to arrest the suspect within the next 48 hours. After this deadline, the suspect cannot be arrested until the trial is completed and they have been found guilty.
It is very important to know that the offense is considered ex-officio and no monetary fee is required.