To: The Greek Government

We, the undersigned, call upon the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Costis STEFANOPOULOS; the Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Costas SIMITIS; the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Georgios DRYS; the General Secretary of the Greek Tourism Organization, Mr. Dimitrios GREGORAKIS; the Chief of the Police Mr Photis NASIAKOS and the Municipalities of Greece, to take definitive measures towards solving the ever increasing stray dog and cat population in Greece by implementing and enforcing Law Number 3710

Law number 3710 passed by the Greek Parliament in July 2003:

· Requires pet owners to register and identify their animals

· Provides harsher penalties for those who mistreat and abandon animals

· Provides for local councils to undertake neutering, vaccination, identification and re-release of strays

· Provides funding for educational campaigns on responsible pet ownership.

Animal abuse is widespread in Greece and includes starvation, neglect, cruelty and poisoning. Poisoning of both strays and pet animals happens every day; documented reports are abundant and have been shown on Greek television. Poisoning is indiscriminate, and can affect children, adults and animals alike. Offenders must be prosecuted and fined for this illegal activity. Given the current frequency of poisoning cases, it is also a concern that the numbers will increase as the country prepares to host the Olympics 2004 and the presence of stray animals on the streets is unwanted.

It is also common practice in Greece to abandon unwanted pets and hundreds of thousands of such animals roam parks, streets and forests all over Greece. The majority of these animals are not spayed or neutered due to widespread unawareness of the benefits of sterilization.

The answer is not to place these animals in shelters. Welfare conditions in existing municipal shelters are appalling and rather than solve the problem they simply perpetuate the suffering of these unfortunate animals. Furthermore adoption figures are low resulting in overcrowded shelters with enormous running costs. Municipalities must set up neutering centers now and re-release the neutered, vaccinated animals to the areas they frequent where animal welfare workers and other friends of the animals can follow up and feed them.

Tourists are horrified at the suffering they see whilst on holiday in Greece, many vowing never to return. Many Greeks are also concerned and are working hard to improve the situation but with little or no support from the authorities.

Given the magnitude of the problem, the Greek government, local councils and the Police must take action and strictly enforce Law 3710.

We thank you in advance for acting. Give Greek animals a chance.



For more information, paper version of petition and sample letter go to www.atlantisnet.gr/cidag

If you want to send an e-mail directly to the above ministers:
Prime Minister Costas Simitis: mail (at) primeminister.gr
Minister of Agriculture Mr. Georgios Drys: ax2u025 (at) minagric.gr
Minister of Tourism Mr. Dimitrios Georgarakis: president (at) gnto.gr

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD


PLEASE SIGN PETITION HERE:
www.atlantisnet.gr/cidag/petition.asp