The Greek election will do nothing for the plight of the animals of Greece. Those of us who have been lucky enough to visit Greece in the past know all too well that animal welfare in the country and the island's leaves a lot to be desired. It was hoped that with education animal welfare would improve
Now that the people of Greece can barelty afford the basics for themselves and their families Animal Welfare will not even be on the radar. Still it will be a new government of sorts and we must all hope and pray that things improve.
We can of course all do our bit to help. That could be donating to a charity, lobbying the Greek parliament or whatever you can do.Apart from animal maltreatment and neglect, which is obvious, traditional Greek life is sometimes also responsible for animal suffering.
All countries, including we in the West, have had a terrible track record as far as animal welfare goes. Most though have cleaned up their acts, at least on the surface. Traditions such as fox hunting, bear baiting and dog fighting are outlawed in most civilised countries. Below is a letter which an Internet friend has sent to the Mayor of the small Greek Island of Naxos. TEK is happy to publish this letter in the hope that it will draw attention to this disgraceful "tradition". You too can add your voice to the others. The sender included copies to mainstream media reporters but it seems they care little for the suffering of the animals of Greece.
To the Mayor of Naxos, Manolis Margaritis
Dear Sir, I read with horror the article in http://www.zoosos.gr/article/1690/naxos-anevazoun-ta-gaidouria-stis-taratses-epeide-epivallei-ethimo (translation at the bottom for English readers) How can you possibly allow such barbaric abuse to an animal in the 21st Century????
Despite law 4039 that was passed earlier in the year and which prevents the use of animals to be used in any form of public spectacle or entertainment, (a custom which has no doubt caused injury to many donkeys over the years), it still continues. The organisers will find themselves subject to a legal injunction if they repeat the spectacle in 2013!!
It would be appropriate to remind you why tourism on Naxos could be affected in view of the so-called 'tradition' & APPROVED ANIMAL CRUELTY that takes place on his island.... what other 'traditions' involving animals are being practiced on Naxos that we don't know about (apart from the widespread Easter slaughter of lambs that are being roasted almost in every back yard all over Greece!!).
Naxos is already well known for the hobbling of goats and donkeys, abandonment of cats and dogs, what next? Do you want your island shown up all over the World as being in the17th Century!!
Yours faithfully, UK resident
This practice was unknown to TEK but demands attention for sure. Whilst the moronic on the Internet may find it amusing those of us who care about animal welfare do not. If you can add your voice to that of Elaine (letter above), please do.
Whilst there is no excuse for animal abuse a lack of proper medical treatment and food may sometimes arise out of poverty. Abusing animals for your amusement or because your folk have always done so is simply a disgrace.
(Article translation - People on the Greek island of Naxos hoist donkeys on roof-tops because it's a 'tradition'...... The inhabitants of the villages Gallini and Kynidaro, on the island of Naxos, are still practising a particularly cruel custom involving donkeys. The donkeys are tied up with rope and hauled up to the roof terraces of houses, to be lowered down again on May Day. The hauling up of the donkeys is done secretly at night and the poor animals are left on the roof until late afternoon the following day when spectators gather to watch their return to earth. The cultural club of Kynidaro describes the custom on their blog and it appears to be something that has been traditionally undertaken by the young lads of these villages to impress their female admirers. The club goes on to invite spectators to come watch the donkeys being lowered down from the roofs at 12.30 midday on 1 May 2012.
Tags: Naxos, Greece, Greek animal welfare, Greek donkeys, Naxos donkey cruelty
Now that the people of Greece can barelty afford the basics for themselves and their families Animal Welfare will not even be on the radar. Still it will be a new government of sorts and we must all hope and pray that things improve.
We can of course all do our bit to help. That could be donating to a charity, lobbying the Greek parliament or whatever you can do.Apart from animal maltreatment and neglect, which is obvious, traditional Greek life is sometimes also responsible for animal suffering.
All countries, including we in the West, have had a terrible track record as far as animal welfare goes. Most though have cleaned up their acts, at least on the surface. Traditions such as fox hunting, bear baiting and dog fighting are outlawed in most civilised countries. Below is a letter which an Internet friend has sent to the Mayor of the small Greek Island of Naxos. TEK is happy to publish this letter in the hope that it will draw attention to this disgraceful "tradition". You too can add your voice to the others. The sender included copies to mainstream media reporters but it seems they care little for the suffering of the animals of Greece.
To the Mayor of Naxos, Manolis Margaritis
Dear Sir, I read with horror the article in http://www.zoosos.gr/article/1690/naxos-anevazoun-ta-gaidouria-stis-taratses-epeide-epivallei-ethimo (translation at the bottom for English readers) How can you possibly allow such barbaric abuse to an animal in the 21st Century????
Despite law 4039 that was passed earlier in the year and which prevents the use of animals to be used in any form of public spectacle or entertainment, (a custom which has no doubt caused injury to many donkeys over the years), it still continues. The organisers will find themselves subject to a legal injunction if they repeat the spectacle in 2013!!
It would be appropriate to remind you why tourism on Naxos could be affected in view of the so-called 'tradition' & APPROVED ANIMAL CRUELTY that takes place on his island.... what other 'traditions' involving animals are being practiced on Naxos that we don't know about (apart from the widespread Easter slaughter of lambs that are being roasted almost in every back yard all over Greece!!).
Naxos is already well known for the hobbling of goats and donkeys, abandonment of cats and dogs, what next? Do you want your island shown up all over the World as being in the17th Century!!
Yours faithfully, UK resident
This practice was unknown to TEK but demands attention for sure. Whilst the moronic on the Internet may find it amusing those of us who care about animal welfare do not. If you can add your voice to that of Elaine (letter above), please do.
Whilst there is no excuse for animal abuse a lack of proper medical treatment and food may sometimes arise out of poverty. Abusing animals for your amusement or because your folk have always done so is simply a disgrace.
(Article translation - People on the Greek island of Naxos hoist donkeys on roof-tops because it's a 'tradition'...... The inhabitants of the villages Gallini and Kynidaro, on the island of Naxos, are still practising a particularly cruel custom involving donkeys. The donkeys are tied up with rope and hauled up to the roof terraces of houses, to be lowered down again on May Day. The hauling up of the donkeys is done secretly at night and the poor animals are left on the roof until late afternoon the following day when spectators gather to watch their return to earth. The cultural club of Kynidaro describes the custom on their blog and it appears to be something that has been traditionally undertaken by the young lads of these villages to impress their female admirers. The club goes on to invite spectators to come watch the donkeys being lowered down from the roofs at 12.30 midday on 1 May 2012.
Tags: Naxos, Greece, Greek animal welfare, Greek donkeys, Naxos donkey cruelty
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