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Speaking out for Greek animal welfare
OVER THE last three years, the majority of animal welfare associations in Greece has been subjected to an organised
attack from an organisation known as the Confederation of Greek Animal Welfare Associations. According to information submitted
in a court brief by their representative, Ioanna Garagouni, this confederation represents a mere 12 of the 140 associations
throughout the country. To the authorities, however, Mrs Garagouni maintains that she is the only formal representative of
the animal welfare movement in Greece.
Mrs Garagouni and her associations regard animal protection as the exclusive right of local government bodies, maintaining
that animal lovers have no right to act in this sphere and she denounces as illegal all animal welfare associations who collect
stray animals and offer them to families for adoption.
As a result of the actions and allegations made by the above group, the Greek state has been driven to measures that are
marginal in terms of legality, that explicitly violate the individual freedoms and rights of animal-loving citizens who are
arrested, libelled and slandered, subjected to disdain and forced to become involved in lengthy judicial battles.
The decisions of the Greek justice system, which eventually vindicate the animal welfare volunteers involved in such battles,
do not see the light of publicity, something that is exploited to the limit by the opposition.
We mention two typical cases which continue to feature in the media as "illegal export of animals". The first relates to
the transport of 58 animals by the association Noah's Ark in February 2005. On the order of the public prosecutor at the court
of Piraeus (EG22-05/118/206/24-3-05), the three Noah's Ark volunteers were acquitted of all charges against them and the confiscated
animals were ordered to be returned to the group on the grounds that the animals were intended for adoption in Europe and
conditions of transport conformed with the law.
A second example is the confiscation, in July 2005, of seven animals being transported from Chios to Denmark. The decision
of the Piraeus court (AM 5711/2005) acquitted the two defendants of the charge of trading in animals without the required
authority and the confiscated animals were ordered to be returned to their Danish owner. It is worth noting that Mrs Ioanna
Garagouni, who had been named as custodian of the animals, refused to return them, with the result that an indictment has
been issued against her for penal offences. The whereabouts of the seven animals is currently unknown.
At the same time as animal welfare associations are accused of illegal collection and custody of animals and of trading
in animals, the responsible authorities, influenced by claims made by the confederation, proceed to carry out directives that
are either not forecast, or are even prohibited, by the law. The Greek Veterinary Association denies citizens the right to
register more than two animals in their name. Airline companies deny passengers the right to travel with more than two animals,
and veterinarians are subject to directives that compel them to provide the personal details of customers who ask for pet
passports, ie are called on to infringe their professional code of confidentiality.
We denounce the actions of the confederation and request that the ministry of rural development check its legality and
the authenticity of its authority to represent animal welfare, in order to establish that the confederation does not express
the views of the majority of animal welfare workers in Greece.
Signed by 53 animal welfare societies
Archaic Society for the Care of Animals, Patras; AFIPA Greece, Athens; "Aesops" Friends of the
Animals, Kavala; Animal Welfare Association, Lesvos; "SOZO" Animal Welfare Association of Xanthi;
Apma, Belgium; "Argos", Thessaloniki; Friends of the Animals, Chios; Cornwall's Voice
for Animals, England; Animal Welfare Association, Crete; Volunteers for the Protection of Stray
Animals, Saronida; Animal Welfare Association, Kastoria; Friends of the Animals and the Environment,
Kos; Friends of the Animals, Nea Makri; Association of Friends of Animals, Ermionida; Friends
of Animals, Rethymno; Frontida Zoon, Athens; Greek Animal Rescue, UK; Greek Animal
Rescue, Canada; Animal Welfare Association, Kalamata; Kefalonia Animal Trust, Kefalonia;
KiDi Zo, Ioannina; Animal Welfare Association, Lefkada; Animal Welfare Association, Rhodes;
Animal Welfare Association, Santorini; Skiathos Dog Shelter, Skiathos; Protection of Animals
and Nature, Skopelos; SOS Strays, Vrilissia; "The Ark", Corfu; The Society for the Support
of the Animal Shelter of the University of Patras; Animal Welfare Association, Zakynthos; SPAZ, Glyfada;
Friends of the Cats, Athens; Animal Welfare Ecological Association "Together We Can"; Association
for the Welfare of the Greek Cat; Association of Friends of Stray Dogs and Cats Nea Michanionas; Association
for Sheltering and Protecting Stray Animals - Stray.gr; Animal Welfare Association of Panorama; Animal Welfare,
Mountaineering and Ecological Union; Animal Welfare Association "Man and Animals"; Animal Welfare Association
Asprovaltas "Odysseus"; Animal Welfare Association Menemenis "Phoebos"; "Argos" Panhellenic Association of Friends
of the Animals; Committee for the Protection of Stray Animals in Psyhico Municipality; Animal Welfare Association
of Ilioupoli; Kifissia Friends of the Animals Association for Animal Rights and Protection; Friends of the Animals
Ag Theodoron, Korinthia; Animal Welfare Association of Serres; Animal Welfare Association in Thessaloniki
"I Agapi"; Pancretan Association for the Protection of Animals "Noah's Ark"; Association for the Protection
of Aegina Animals "Respect to Animals"; Animal Welfare Association of Salamina "ZOES"; Animal Welfare Association
of Argyroupoli "Imittos"
ATHENS NEWS , 21/04/2006, page: A13
Article code: C13179A131
Letters to the editor
Unfounded allegations wound Greek strays
AS A long-time friend of and frequent visitor to Greece, I write on behalf of animal lovers and of suffering and
neglected strays throughout Greece - strays that a certain group of so-called animal lovers is working hard to keep in Greece
to "die for the nation".
This group has confiscated dogs, papers, documents, played the part of public prosecutors and commanded police to arrest
innocent people, justifying these actions by claiming that the dogs in question were to be send abroad for experiments. These
allegations, against foreign individuals and recognised animal welfare organisations, are slanderous and false. This group
has never presented any evidence for its claims. And the unfounded allegations have served only one purpose - masking and
diverting attention from the animal welfare problems in Greece.
Greek animals are used for experiments - experiments that are done in Greece, right on the doorsteps of those who
make these claims. Experiments like: How long does it take for a dog to die without having access to food and water? How long
does it take for an animal to die from poisoning? And how long does it take for kittens or puppies to suffocate in plastic
bags thrown into the dustbins?
I could show the people who make these claims photos of poisoned cats and dogs, pictures of animals living their whole
lives chained up, and of starving, maltreated cats. But they would probably accuse me of having staged the photos myself,
as they did when they saw photos of ex-Greek strays in loving new homes presented to them by charities who rehome dogs abroad.
Obviously some so-called Greek animal lovers, who claim only to have the welfare of animals at heart, find it difficult
to comprehend that there are compassionate people living abroad who show interest in animals, and work for a cause without
financial gain.
I wonder where this group of Greek animal lovers were when Greece was to take over the European Presidency in January 2003,
and dozens of dogs and cats were poisoned in the National Gardens. I wonder why they have done nothing to alleviate the dreadful
conditions revealed in the Greek media at the shelter near Thessaloniki nicknamed the "dogs' Auschwitz". Why they seem to
have put no effort into implementing any of the other articles of law 3170 for companion and stray animals. Why they did not
protest when the pre-Olympic poisonings took place, or during the March 2005 spate of poisonings around Attica.
But they were there on 27 February 2005 at Piraeus port, confiscating 58 dogs from Arche Noah that were on their way to
homes in Germany and Holland, claiming that they were being sent to laboratories. Arche Noah was taken to court.
On 23 July 2005 the harbour was the scene of a similar scenario. A Norwegian woman was arrested for travelling with seven
dogs en route to Denmark. The Norwegian woman was imprisoned for 36 hours and the seven dogs sent to a kennel.
Arche Noah was cleared of all the charges. The papers were found in order and the dogs were released [to continue to Holland
and Germany, where they have now been united with their new families]. The Norwegian woman was also cleared. The papers were
in order and it was ruled that the dogs were travelling legally. The court ordered the release of the seven dogs.
Although the confiscations were publicised by the group of alleged animal lovers, they seem to have "forgotten" to mention
the court decisions.
Clearly the Greeks are unable to care for and to deal with their overpopulation of animals. Yet, oddly enough, they are
letting a group of people armed only with unfounded allegations to stop compassionate people from other countries from helping
them to do so.
A Jensen Denmark
ATHENS NEWS , 31/03/2006, page: A18
Noah’s Ark in Crete
The authorities in Crete continue to try to find reasons to prevent
the well thought of animal welfare organisation, Noah’s Ark, Crete, from operating. Research conducted by Epsilon, that
is completely unjustified.
The efforts of volunteers in Chania to protect animals has gone on for many years and been very successful.
In 1990 the local public shelter for strays operated in an area provided by the Ministry of Agricultural Development and the
Veterinary Service was responsible for the running of the shelter. About three years ago, changes in the law resulted in the
responsibility being passed over to local authorities and animal welfare bodies. The running of the Chania shelter was taken
over by the Animal Welfare Group of Chania with the German woman, Silke Vrobel, as President and the shelter co-operated with
and was financed by the German organisation, Noah’s Ark.
In 1998, the veterinarian Thomas Busch visited Chania together with some of his colleagues in order
to care for the animals. Returning to Germany he founded, together with compatriots who had visited Crete and who had been
appalled by the lack of concern [for animals], the organisation "Noah’s Ark – Crete". The organisation, which
today numbers approximately 1,200 German members, funded Mrs Vrobel’s work.
In June 2002, the members of the German organisation decided to undertake the running of the animal
shelter themselves. In order to be officially recognised in Crete, those involved founded, with the participation of both
foreigners and locals, the Cretan Organisation for Animal Protection, " Noah’s Ark".
And so things began. The President of Noah’s Ark, Kostoula Dornbrach-Stroupi, an architect, who
had just returned from Germany as a pensioner, undertook to improve conditions at the shelter which were appalling. With this
aim, a total of 146,000 euro was spent on work, which took place over many months. At the opening of the shelter the then
deputy Mayor, Mr Archontakis, symbolically handed over the keys to Thomas Busch.
The original building was doubled in size. The internal enclosures communicate with exterior space,
so that the animals can move around freely. Floors and walls were tiled and automatic water systems installed, which the four-leggeds
can operate themselves. Grates allow drainage of waste matter", explained Mrs Stoupi, showing us photographs of how things
were previously.
"The windows have an automatic opening system in order to allow in regular fresh air, while the double
roof provides good insulation. In addition, there is central heating.
We visited the kitchen, the surgery and saw the amazing file of photographs of dogs, with details of
their medical history and also spoke with the staff who are there on a 24 hour basis.
The money required for the shelter to become so impressive was provided by the German organisation
and many of its members offered voluntary work.
The Ark and the members of the German organisation, apart from caring for strays and owned animals,
dogs and cats, unwanted by their owners, also care for donkeys and even on occasion cows thrown on the rubbish dump.
Since January 2003, Noah’s Ark has sterilised more than 3000 animals and supports a continual
campaign to inform citizens on subjects relating to animals. Members feed strays and offer them medical care, intervene in
accusations of animal mistreatment and take legal action when necessary. They give animals up for adoption to families in
both Greece and Germany and above all have managed to persuade those who in the past put their newborn puppies and kittens
in a rubbish bag in order to dispose of them to take them to the shelter on the provision that the dog or cat is sterilised.
This they achieved, among other means, by putting stickers on rubbish bins. "They bring us the
animals as soon as they are born. We ask them to keep them for about two months until they are weaned and then to bring them
back to us together with the mother, in order for her to be sterilised free of charge, if their financial circumstances prevent
them from going to the vet of their own choice", volunteer Jennie Williams explained to us.
With their continuing efforts, the animal lovers of Crete have added another plus to the beautiful
narrow streets of the town: they don’t have strays! And the small number who do wander the streets are healthy, well
fed and sterilised.
2nd article (in the same supplement of Eleftherotypia newspaper)
Made homeless by the State
Marks for good performance don’t go only to the animal welfare organisations. Their work
also reflects well on the local authorities in Chania. This is nfortunate really, as it appears from their actions that
the authorities do not wish Noah’s Ark work to continue. The director of the Chania Veterinary Service, Mr Tsigounakis,
advised the Ministry of Agricultural Development that the land the shelter occupies is no longer required. A building regulation
infringement on the part of the organisation has resulted in them being fined 12,000 Euro and makes their situation more difficult
since it enables the responsible government employees to exercise their authority to the limits, following the letter of the
law and overlooking the fact that considerable funds have been invested in the shelter and the organisation is doing work
that should be undertaken by the government.
The Ark has had their papers requesting a license to operate, submitted to the Veterinary Department
of Chania from June 2004, as defined by the law and within the required time limit. Up until then, the shelter operated legally
under the 1993 Ministerial Decision in which it was not required to apply for a license. The return of the land and the fine
from the Planning Department resulted in the Veterinary Department refusing permission for the German vets to work at the
shelter since it is now classed as "illegal."
On the other hand, only a few Greek vets on Crete assist Noah’s Ark (as they regard them
as competition) - as if everybody has the money to sterilise their animals. "We asked the Greek vets to lower the price for
sterilisations by a third. We would pay a third of the cost ourselves and the rest would be paid by the owners", Mrs Stoupi
explained to us, "but it didn’t happen."
The thing that generates the most anger: voluntary work by vets from the European Organisation
for Protection of Animals and the Environment is forbidden. With more than 60,000 members), these vets offer medical and pharmaceutical
care to animals all over Europe.
"This has only happened to us in Greece." Norbet Gounster the advisor for ETN told us. "In all
other European countries that our vets have visited, in order to help strays free of charge, for example in Spain and Portugal,
they have welcomed us with open arms and given us permission to administer medical and surgical aid".
Despite our attempts we did not manage to get in touch with either Mr Tsigounakis or the Local
Government Prefect, Mr Katsanevakis, to discuss the subject. They promised us that the deputy local government of
Despite our attempts, we did not manage to get in touch with either Mr Tsigounakis or the Local
Government Prefect, Mr Katsanevakis, to discuss the subject. They promised us that the deputy local government officer would
contact us, but even this did not happen. This is a shame because it meant that we did not get answers to the following questions:
Why did the Veterinary Department of Chania return the use of the land to the Elias Institute when
they know that it has operated as a shelter for years, a shelter which the Department itself founded?
Why, while in accordance with the ministerial decision – a license was not needed for a shelter
to operate until December 2003, did the Veterinary Department ask Noah’s Ark for their license to found a shelter?
Why has the local authority not yet co-operated with local organisations in the area in order to
implement the Catch-Neuter-Release programme, as laid down in law 3170 passed in 2003, since Noah’s Ark has requested
this co-operation enough times in the past both in writing and via the press?
Representatives from the local government authorities have not even made the effort to visit the
shelter in order to ascertain the quality of the set up or the work that is being undertaken.?
Dog confiscation continues
ON JULY 23, seven puppies were confiscated at Piraeus harbour by police acting on behalf of a group named the Coalition
of Animal Welfare Societies in Greece. The dogs had arrived at the port on board the vessel "Mytiline" from Chios, and were
destined for Denmark. Ioanna Karagouni, who allegedly represents 20 unnamed societies that believe Greek strays are being
shipped abroad to be used in the pharmaceutical and fur industries, claims that the animals were not travelling legally. The
puppies will be kept in kennels until the case comes to court in October.
In February, Karagouni made the same claims against the Cretan-based Arche Noah group, causing 58 dogs the society was
transporting to homes in Germany and Holland to be put into kennels near Athens for a month. A public prosecutor cleared Arche
Noah of all Karagouni's charges, found the paperwork to be in order and legally released the animals to continue their journey.
They were united with their new owners by March 31. Karagouni lost a similar case, involving six puppies en route for Belgium,
in March 2004.
ATHENS NEWS , 29/07/2005, page: A10
Article code: C13141A103
It happened again, Karagouni once more managed to stop 7 dogs from going to their new and loving homes in Denmark
by telling her vicious lies. 7 dogs from Chios were on the way to Athens airport, but got stopped on the arrival
in the port of Piraeus by Karagouni and the police.
Line, the norweigian girl who had kindly offered to transport our dogs to the airport where Helene from
our organisation (Graeksehunde) would meet her, was taken to the police station where she was forced to spend
the
night, scared and alone, not knowing what was going on.
Meanwhile Karagouni was insisting that Line was trading these dogs for medicinal purposes etc, and refused
to let the police release Line or the dogs. The dogs where forced to stay on the boat for about 10 hours
before they
came out, obviously looking distressed and thirsty after this long and unescesarry stay caused by Karagounis
lies.
Finally the dogs were taken to a private kennel, and Line was forced to spend a night in the police station
not knowing why under not good conditions (food, toilet paper or even a bed sheet to sleep). Line was finally
released Sunday afternoon 36 hours after she was stopped. Karagouni managed to say to Line that obviously
these dogs was for Line just like Souvlaki, but for her and the greek people they were life.
All the dogs had passports, microchip and were vaccinated. They are 2 adults and 5 puppies 4-5 months
old.
Line was realeased but with a court date in October which means that the dog now have to stay in Greece until
then, if Karagouni gets her way. Today Anna from Chios, the owner of the 7 dogs is arrested and will come to Athens
with the charges that she had not given written permission to Line to transport her dogs by boat. Since
they were more than two a written permission had to be obtained according to her.
Graeksehunde
Please sign our petition to help us free our dogs in Pireaus!
Thank you!!!
Graeske Hunde
Denmark
The 'press release' below, although signed by the President of the Epirus branch of
the Greek Veterinary Society, was undoubtedly written by Panos (Panagiotis) Zois, and then posted on the tetrapodologein website
(marked 'urgent!') which, as many of you know, backs Garagouni's antics and opposes foreign adoptions of Greek strays. Panos
joined the 'tetrapodologein team' more than a year ago, which came as a great shock to me, because two years ago, when
in the UK on a training programme, he visited us and our then 6 (now 7) rescued 'Greekies', including Bonnie, whom he himself
had rescued, having found her collapsed by the roadside, with half of her hind left leg missing. He also came to a fund-raising
event in Brentwood, where he met another dozen or so ex-strays from Greece, all 'smiling' happily ..... Panos couldn't stop
smiling either, he was quite overwhelmed and he took lots of pictures, which he later put in the window of his surgery in
Ioannina. He even had the photos published in a local Ioannina magazine, accompanied by an article he wrote, praising GAR's
work. So what happened to 'that' Panos and why would he decide to join the 'anti-foreigners' brigade?? Well, we
know how it all began, but it's not worth going into all the details - suffice to say that his opinions have been influenced
by those who made him feel important. Unfortunately he hasn't won any friends and influence among those who actually undertake
animal welfare and rescue work in Greece.
It's ironic that Panos should write about 'mandatory testing' of dogs for Leishmaniasis
(commonly known as Kala-azar, whose vector is a tiny sandfly), Erhlichiosis (tick-borne disease) and Dirofilaria (heartworm),
considering that he didn't think it necessary for Bonnie to have a test for Dirofilaria, claiming that she 'didn't have it'.
Well, she DID, though we didn't know that she was infected for more than a year after her arrival in the UK and even then
it was only by chance. I suspected that 'something' was not quite right (she looked lethargic, her coat was dull etc)
and when I took her to the vet, he put a couple of drops of her blood under the microscope ... to my horror, I saw wriggly
little 'worms' swimming in the blood. Bonnie was treated successfully, but if she had been tested while she was still in Greece,
the treatment could have been carried out much sooner, preventing possible damage to the heart. Although not required
by Greek law, GAR has always tested its dogs for Leishmaniasis and also tests for Erhlichiosis. In fact dogs are checked twice
- once when they are found and again 6 months later, when their quarantine period in Greece is completed and they are
ready to travel to the UK.
I'm sorry to have rambled on, but it goes to show what we are up against .... when a friend
becomes a foe ...
Regards,
Vesna
Press Release from the Pan Hellenic Veterinary Association (Epirus Branch)
After:
1) being made aware of the recent incident on Sunday 27/2/2005 at the port of Piraeus, when citizens prevented
the attempts of foreign citizens, members of a Cretan association, to export stray animals without the legal paperwork required
by law No. 3170/03 and Ministerial Decision No. 280239/03
2) and listening to the [subsequent] uproar that has arisen among animal
welfare workers
3) and having followed the rumble of
reports that continue unabated in both the domestic and foreign press (in printed and electronic form)
4) and the continuing
rumours relating to the above incident, according to which "strays and mixed breed four leggeds are not preferred (and
consequently this excludes their use)
by research centres or institutes for vivisection because
their genetic material is unknown and thus
the animals of choice are those bred specifically for the purpose in order to
ensure reliable research results ",
with a sense of responsibility arising from our scientific and moral conscience and with the sole
aim of informing the public, we, as representatives of an accountable scientific
institution in Greece, proceed with
the following Press Bulletin and inform
you that:
1) The use of (either pure breed or mixed breed) animals
in experiments is in absolute conflict with our scientific and moral views when such experiments take place outside the
legal framework.
2) We confirm that large numbers of dogs used as guinea-pigs in EU research centres do indeed belong to
a specific breed. With regard to the use, or not, of other breeds of dog, or mixed race dogs for experimental aims,
we declare that to our knowledge there has been no such use in Greece.
We consider, however, the categorical statement that "strays could
not be used as guinea-pigs because their genetic material is unknown ", lacking in scientific basis and
documentation, because according to our specialised scientific knowledge: the anatomical, functional, histological
and biochemical features of ALL breeds of dogs (and cross breeds i.e. mixed breeds) are SIMILAR, with the exception of the
Dalmatian breed that differs in one biochemical parameter. Consequently, we consider
it possible to use any pure breed or mixed breed dog for experimental aims.
Finally, bearing
in mind all of the above, as well
as information and data from printed and electronic press regarding the probable use of pure dogs of various breeds or mixed breeds for experimental and other illegal aims, we call
on:
The Political Leadership, in its entirety, but more specifically the Prime Minister and Minister of
Culture , Mr K. Karamanlis, and the Ministry of Rural Growth and Foods to immediately implement the relevant Law 3170/2003 (and the Ministerial Decisions which clarify the law) as this law currently remains completely unapplied .
In addition to the application of the existing Law, we ask that more strict conditions be included in Ministerial Decision 280239/03 in regard to the supporting documents required for the export of stray animals.
In particular: a. Mandatory blood
testing of exported dogs for the illnesses Leishmaniasis, Dirofilaria
and Erhlichiosis since these particular
illnesses are observed in our country in large numbers; b. The application of strict penal sentences in the case of attempts to export animals without the documentation required by Ministerial Decision 280239/03;
and g. The creation of an electronic data base at the Ministry of Rural Growth and Foods for each
animal sent abroad for adoption – the records to be kept for a duration of at least 10 years for each animal.
2) Animal welfare organisations that direct Greek strays to EU countries for adoption must METICULOUSLY observe Greek Law in order to safeguard their integrity and good
name. Similarly, we also call upon all animal welfare organisations to promote adoption of strays inside the country
in order to illustrate the necessary concern and responsibility.
Ioannina, 13-4-2005
For the Pan-Hellenic Veterinary Association (Epirus branch):
Chairman:
HOVOLOS THEODOROS –Veterinary Surgeon
(University of Thessaloniki)
The General Secretary:
ZOIS PANAGIOTIS
–Veterinary Surgeon (University of Thessaloniki)
The Members:
MITSI CLEIO –Veterinary Surgeon (University
of Thessaloniki)
KYRIAKOPOU LOS KONSTANTINOS –Veterinary
Surgeon (University of Thessaloniki)
CHRISOHOOU DI MITRIOS –Veterinary Surgeon
(University of Thessaloniki)
To read about the release and journey of the 58 dogs to their new homes in Germany by clicking on each of the links
below; it will warm your heart and soul!
For more information and updates on this situation hindering animal rescuers trying to rehome strays
of Greece, please bookmark this site and visit it periodically: http://www.archenoah-kreta.com/
This situation gets more ridiculous by the day; here's an article that appeared in one of the Greek newspapers on March
27th .... we are all totally perplexed by these slanderous accusations and do not understand why anyone in authority isn't
getting to the bottom of this.
=================================================================
(From the newspaper Kathimerini March 27 2005) By George Frantzeskakis
k9mailbox@yahoo.comPet Trafficking or in other words the strays at the service of the global industry A case that leaves behind
traces of blood ... Have you ever wondered about the value of the animal that you just came across? Not in terms
of emotional "chips" but in terms of Euros. The stray animal is an untiring worker of the global industry. Pharmaceuticals,
cosmetics, weapons, furs and the list has no end. And in all of these gigantic assembly lines of wealth, the stray animal,
a slave without any prospects of salvation, is sacrificed daily in numbers that would make the hearts of many skip a beat,
even for just a moment. Behind the back of the "civilized" old hag, Europe, a crime is being committed.
Because everybody has the need for cheap experimental mammals, and because the companies that "produce" them legally have
lifted their prices to the sky high (600-1500 Euros per price), small and larger "companies" of smugglers have formed in all
the countries that possess an oversupply of strays, and they promote them directly to their interested customers at competitive
prices. This is called Pet Trafficking. It sounds like a script from a book by Philip K. Dick, but it is the
sick reality. And what makes it even more horrible is the pretense that is being used: Under the nose of the authorities
(in our country the responsible ministries are those of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Transportation and Culture,
as I would say - appear indifferent as they try to hide the problem under the carpet, however the carpet has formed a bulge
that (everybody can see) animals "are given for adoption" to animal loving families that exist only on paper, on photos and
the imagination of animal lovers with good faith and who believe that they are securing the stray animal in their neighborhood
a better life. In Greece various animal welfare organizations operate semi-legally and they secretly send tens of stray
animals, four-legged "Greeks" without the necessary documentation which is COMPULSORY by law, and there is no
formal mechanism to check the procedure. Some of these groups are neck deep in dirt. Their bully like actions
and their bewilderment to produce even one sound explanation proves this. Some other groups are, as I would like to
believe, involuntary accomplices in a crime that they do not want to accept because the truth will hurt them deeply.
I admit that I recently found myself in such a position recently. However, the evidence that I saw, evidence that the "devil
of Ecology", Popi Baka has accumulated with great efforts, are crushing and leave no doubt, not even for the sake of the pretenses.
Because it concerns months of hard work, I would like this piece to be the preface to her research which I hope to see
published very soon, so that the slow moving, giant called the STATE, can finally take action and stop this disgrace hich
insults not only those who love the animals but all those who believe that this country should maintain a minimum level of
dignity. And because the publication is soon to come, the organized animal welfare people, who have participated in
such suspicious transports, should separate their positions from now, while there is still time. Otherwise, I
am afraid that before they know it they will be taken to court, and then their lack of intention will not help them very much.
Something will change in this country. Naturally or by force, in a rush or in an organized fashion, slowly or slightly
faster. And we will be witnesses and judges. Something will change soon. And not only verbally.
ANOTHER URGENT APPEAL
The future of countless strays in Greece depends on Arche Noah's success in securing
the release of the 58 dogs and this is why we must all give them our full support. To add insult to injury,
the kennelling costs are being charged to Arche Noah at 580€ PER DAY - money which should be used
for the rescue and care of other needy animals on Crete. It's an absurd situation and one which must be resolved as
soon as possible. PLEASE circulate the contents of this email appeal far and wide; PLEASE continue to bombard the
authorities with emails and faxes, write to your Euro MP, the newspapers etc. The situation really is VERY serious,
which you will see from Arche Noah's update below.
Regards,
Vesna
.The End of Animal
Welfare in Greece?
Our situation is becoming more and more hopeless and chaotic. One day we receive the information that the 58 animals can
soon be taken away, the next day we are warned that we will be acting illegally, if we move the animals just one meter within
Greece. Mrs Garagouni obviously has a firm hold over the Greek authorities…
We urgently need your help now – it doesn't matter if you are a tourist, animal lover or
have business connections in Greece!
There is no sign that the authorities will soon yield
in the animal welfare crisis initiated by Mrs. Garagouni. Our requests are hitting a brick wall of ignorance and resistance.
The letter from the German ambassador to the Greek President, has, to our knowledge, also not achieved any results so far.
Our
lawyers were trying in vain to achieve results by Friday afternoon. But nothing was moving. Then we received the information:
"Come back on Tuesday, nothing is going to happen before then; because of the carnival here in Greece no civil servant will
be working".
Meanwhile, our vet Ines Leuw has arrived in Greece from Germany. She will give the dogs a veterinary check-up
at the boarding kennels, and will support Thomas Busch, who is still in Athens.
Further
Harrassment
There were two options open to the Greek authorities during the last week:
1.
They could return the papers to us and let the animals go by means of a quick resolution or court order
2.
They could find something in the way we work, that is against a particular Greek law.
The Greek authorities
have chosen the second option, because on Thursday morning an official veterinary surgeon wanted to inspect the "Pyromane".
She photographed every patch of rust and inspected every single box. Each box was measured. They want to write a report about
the transport. All this is totally absurd, considering that only one kilometre away, as the crow flies, animals have to endure
immense suffering under the eyes of the same authorities, who are now pointing the finger at us, and investigating every detail
of our work --> Illegal.
An inquiry from the German
Foreign Office has shed some light on the matter: we are now being accused of acting against a regulation for the transport
of domestic animals (regulation 9098/2003). Furthermore, we are accused of having no permission to run our animal home (we
have already reported about the deliberate blocking of our application in our article --> So
much wasted energy).
Grim Prospects
We are now fully in the grip of Greek bureaucracy, and the whole matter will go to court –
regardless, of how absurd or senseless this is in the eyes of animal lovers. This will take months. Apart from the representation
of our lawyers, there is not much we can do as a foreign animal welfare organisation. Apart from this, the costs for the boarding
kennels will soon cause our financial ruin.
The authorities still believe Mrs. Garagouni and her allies more than us
foreigners. She and her collaborators are pulling the strings in the background, just as they please. On Thursday morning
Mrs. Lekakou, Mrs. Garagouni's lawyer, phoned the owner of the private boarding kennels and told him that the 58 dogs were
now free for adoption by Greek citizens…
There is no end in sight regarding the actions against us, but an end
to animal welfare in Greece, as it has been practiced by us. Greek partners, animal welfare supporters and friends made
it clear, that if this whole matter was to end negatively for us, this would also be the end of any meaningful animal welfare
work in Greece. Our work is in the public eye, and we are very well organised. For this reason, Mrs. Garagouni has chosen
us as the "enemy" in her power struggle. What it all comes down to is money. EU grants, state subsidies and subsidies from
the tourism industry for animal welfare – our opponents want to get their hands on this money.
One Greek animal
welfare worker in Athens summed it up as follows: "Arche Noah is the most organized association with a shelter, if they
find you illegall, then all the rest of organizations will eliminated easily by Garagouni"
After Mrs. Garagouni and the Greek authorities have finished with their campaign against foreign animal welfare organizations,
* constructive animal welfare from animal loving tourists, in the way it has been established
during the last few years, will no longer be possible,
* effectively working animal homes, supported
from countries outside Greece, like that in Nerokoura/Crete will be replaced by the terrible
animal pounds typical for Greece,
* the stray population will explode, because
successful castration campaigns by foreigners can no longer be carried out,
* nobody will dare to accuse
anyone of cruelty to animals, since these charges would "damage Greece's image",
* hardly anyone will
be able to look after the strays and "barrel" dogs, because according to Greek animal law, this can only be done by animal
welfare workers who have been commissioned by the municipality,
* the adoption of dogs abroad will be
virtually impossible,
* the animal welfare opponents will attack the next animal welfare organisation
(Mrs. Garagouni said after her press conference to a member of stray.gr: "you are the next!")
Please Give us Your Support as a Tourist
We now urgently need your support. As animal lovers, tourists or people with business connections
in Greece, you can now actively help us to ward off this animal welfare catastrophe in Greece.
The Greek Ministries and Authorities will certainly rather listen to Tourists and Holiday-makers than to Animal Welfare
Organisations!
* If the events in Greece have any influence on your future holiday destination,
then please tell them so! Please write to the addresses listed below. Write, preferably by post (and with an official looking
stamp!) and send copies to other addresses! If possible, please send us a copy by fax (+49 5482 925485) or by e-mail (info@archenoah-kreta.com).
* Please also send copies to tour operators!
* Tell tour
operators how Greece, a member of the EU, deals with charities!
* Make the public aware of the events
in Greece! We have prepared several specimen letters for you.
* Protest against the actions of the animal
welfare opponents/authorities and request a change of the animal welfare laws!
* Make people aware of
our situation! Forward these pages and put links to them.
* Make celebrities, politicians and national
representatives aware of our concerns, and the situation in Greece!
Addresses:
(These will be kept up to date and supplemented.)
All addresses are given below as text
files which can be downloaded.
Date: 13.03.2005
The most important addresses:
President of the Hellenic Republic
Dr. Karolos Papoulias
Office of the President of the Hellenic Republic
Bas. Georgiou B 2
100
28 Athen
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Minister: Petros Molyviatis
Deputy Minister: Ioannis Valinakis
Deputy Minister: Evripidis Stylianidis
Deputy
Minister: Panagiotis Skandalakis
3 Akadimias St. Stoa Davaki,
106 71 Athens
Tel: +30 210-3682700
E-mail: cio@mfa.gr
http://www.mfa.gr/
Ministry of Tourism
Ministry of Agriculture
Greek Embassy in Germany
Greek Tourist Board, Ellinikos Organismos Tourismou (EOT)
Tsoha 7
GR-11521 Athen
Tel. 0030/ 2108707000
FAX 0030/210 322 41 48
info@gnto.gr
Greek Tourist Board
Neuer Wall 18
20354 Hamburg
Tel.
040/ 45 44 98
FAX 040/ 45 44 04
info-hamburg@gzf-eot.de
Greek Tourist Board
Leiter Hr. Panagiotis Skordas
Neue Mainzer Str. 22
60311 Frankfurt
Tel.
069/2578270
FAX 069 /25 782729 info@gzf-eot.de
Greek Tourist Board
Further Addresses:
EOT Greek Tourist Board GREECE
I Xanthoudidou Street
GR-71202 Heraklion
Tel. 0030/81 0228225
FAX 0030/81-0226020
EOT Greek Tourist Board GREECE
40,Kriari Street
Megaro Pantheon
GR-73100 Chania
Tel. 0030-821-092943
FAX 0030- 821-092624
Ministery of Internal
Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Culture
Ministry of Public Order
Minister: Georgios Voulgarakis
Deputy Minister: Christos Markogiannakis
4 P. Kanellopoulou St.
10177
Athens
http://www.ydt.gr/
Ministry of Macedonia - Thrace
German Embassy in Athens
Karaoli & Dimitriou 3,
GR-10675 Athen-Kolonaki
Tel. 0030/2107285111
FAX
0030/2107251205
boathens@compulink.gr
German Consulate General
Thessaloniki Odos Karolou Diehl 4a
GR-54623 Thessaloniki
Tel.
0030/2310251120
FAX 0030/2310240393
Please look for more adresses in your country or area!
Specimen Letters
(These will be regularly updated and supplemented)
This specimen letter can be downloaded:
Specimen letter 1
All three specimen letters can be downloaded: 3 Specimen letters
Dear Sir or Madam,
With Easter just around
the corner, the holiday season 2005 will start in just a few weeks. Many holiday-makers from Germany, Belgium and Holland
will be deciding shortly where to spend their holidays this year. Greece has always been amongst the destinations right at
the top of popular holiday resorts.
However, this could change in future… should there be any repeats of the
events that have taken place in Athens: On Sunday, 27th of February 2005, a transport with 58 dogs of the German Animal Welfare
Organisation "Arche Noah Kreta e.V." was waylaid in the port of Piräus. Under false pretences, the accompanying paperwork
was stolen, the dogs were seized and taken to boarding kennels. The three persons accompanying the transport were treated
in a manner which is, in the times of open frontiers, absolutely unacceptable from a member state of the EU. The person responsible
for this action, Mrs. Garagouni, apparently has her own understanding of the law, she rides roughshod over the regulations,
spreads slander and discredits the work of the animal welfare workers, presenting them as criminals who export animals from
Greece for the use of their fur, or in order to sell them for animal experiments. What madness! Even worse is the fact that
these lies are also supported by press campaigns!
The organisation "Arche Noah Kreta e.V." has been doing animal welfare
work on Crete since 1998. It runs an animal home there and works together with over 10 other animal welfare organisations
and partners. The concept of the Arche Noah works: Besides taking in unwanted animals from the public and treating injured
and sick strays, further emphasis of the welfare work is on castration campaigns, education campaigns in schools, for tourists,
for children and youths and through the media, plus an adoption scheme for dogs and cats – mainly in Germany.
A
permanent solution for the stray dogs can only be reached if the people on Crete are prepared to take responsibility for their
animals, and not just put them out on the road, as soon as they become a burden or become ill. Until this goal has been achieved,
large-scale castration campaigns are the only sensible measure to stop the constant increase in the population of dogs.
The
concept of the Arche Noah Kreta has proved to be very successful over the last years. Apart from positive reactions from the
people living there, we meanwhile cooperate with hotels and tour operators, who have recognized that this concept works –
in contrast to the practice of poisoning, commonplace in Greece, which is cruel and senseless, because for each animal killed
a new one takes its place immediately.
Against this background, the actions of Mrs. Garagouni and her lobby are totally
incomprehensible. Apart from the fact that strays in Greece have the same value as rubbish, and are treated accordingly, this
action against the German animal welfare workers shows again that some Greeks have absolutely no interest in solving the problems
of the strays in a way that makes sense and is humane. Instead of working with the animal welfare supporters, they hinder
their work and treat them like criminals.
This is nothing but a demonstration of power, which is done at the cost of the
animals – a slap in the face for every animal loving person!
It is high time that this matter is not only taken
up by tourists, but also by tour operators, and that consequences are taken. Many animal loving tourists will declare their
solidarity with the animal welfare organisations, and will publicly condemn these proceedings. They will pass the responsibility
on to their tour operators – so that they in turn will make it clear to their business partners in Greece that something
has to be done urgently! Events like those in Athens are not the advertising that Greece needs – especially at the beginning
of this year's booking season. The effects on tourism in Greece could speak for themselves.
For detailed information
about the animal welfare work of the "Förderverein Arche Noah Kreta e.V." and the scandal in Athens, please refer to their
website www.archenoah-kreta.com.
I do hope that something will be done very soon and remain,
Yours sincerely
(Signature)
This
specimen letter can be downloaded:Specimen letter 2
All three specimen
letters can be downloaded: 3 Specimen letters
Dear Sir or
Madam,
At the port of Piräus, on 27th February 2005, a transport of 58 dogs of the German animal welfare organisation
"Förderverein Arche Noah Kreta e.V. was stopped. The animals have been seized without any legal justification, the driver
and persons accompanying the transports were treated like criminals and were kept at the office of the port police for hours,
without being given any reason.
This is not a scene out of a thriller…
It also is not a regrettable oversight
or misunderstanding…
It is not the action of over-zealous police-officers…
NO – it is the evidently
planned action of some activists, who are hostile against foreigners, led by Mrs. Ioanna Garagouni – known to insiders
as an infamous opponent against foreign animal welfare - and her allies, whose understanding of animal welfare can only be
comprehended by them.
Mrs. Garagouni has already, in the past year, during the period leading up to the Olympic Games,
done everything to discredit Greek and foreign animal welfare workers, by claiming that they were transporting stray dogs
abroad to sell them for animal experiments and for their fur.
Mrs. Garagouni still cannot supply any evidence for her mad
accusations. It is also not known whether she has ever seen for herself how the former stray dogs are getting on in their
new families in Germany.
Mrs. Garagouni leaves no stone unturned to show the Greek public a completely distorted picture
of the animal welfare activities of the Arche Noah Kreta, and other organisations.
Mrs. Garagouni cannot even give information
to her own press regarding the members of her alleged animal welfare parent organisation.
And why is all this happening?
Certainly not for the benefit of the animals!
Stray dogs still have no lobby in Greece, despite the new animal welfare
law. They are unwanted, are cruelly mistreated, tortured and thrown out, they die during poisoning campaigns, puppies are
thrown into rubbish containers, etc…the list of suffering is endless.
Evidently, at the heart of the matter is their
wish to demonstrate that the foreign animal welfare workers want to solve a problem, which in Mrs. Garagouni's and her allies'
view does not exist at all; and of course money is involved. To put it more precicely: EU-grants and state subsidies for animal
welfare. Insiders of the animal welfare scene assume that this is the target of the opponents against foreign animal welfare
workers. They want to demonstrate their power - foreign interference in Greek matters is to be prevented – and all this
is happening at the cost of the animals.
This behaviour will not be without consequences: in large parts of Greece
tourism is one of the main sources of income, if not THE main source of income! This can and will change, if there is no change
in attitudes towards animal welfare and stray animals.
Many tourists are appalled by the manner in which Greeks treat
strays, and also farm animals, and turn to the local animal welfare organisations for help, as they no longer want to watch
this misery. These are mainly foreign organisations. Alone the Förderverein Arche Noah Kreta receives at least one phone call
per hour during the season, from distressed holiday makers on Crete, who have personally witnessed the animal suffering, and
are asking for advice.
Should the work of organisations like this be made more and more difficult, or even impossible,
in the future by people like Mrs. Garagouni, this will have horrendous effects on the numbers of tourists travelling to Greece!
It
is high time that Greece remembers that it is a member of the EU, also in regard to animal welfare. This means that they let
animal welfare workers from all parts of the EU, and other friendly nations work unhampered for the benefit of the strays
– so that the problem of the strays will, in the long term, really become "a non-existant problem"!
For details
regarding the animal welfare work of the Förderverein Arche Noah Kreta e.V. and the scandal in Athens, please refer to their
website www.archenoah-kreta.com.
We count on your support, and remain,
Yours sincerely,
===============================
This
specimen letter can be downloaded: Specimen letter 3
All three specimen
letters can be downloaded: 3 Specimen letters
Dear Sir or
Madam,
You have probably already received a large number of letters regarding the events at the port of Piräus on the
27.02.05, where a transport with 58 dogs of the German animal welfare organisation "Förderverein Arche Noah Kreta e.V." was
stopped on its journey, and the animals were seized. You will most certainly receive many more letters, if a solution that
will really benefit animal welfare is not found very soon!
One must ask oneself whether Mrs. Garagouni, and those supporting
her, realize what kind of people are supporting animal welfare organisations, such as the "Förderverein Arche Noah Kreta e.V.".
Apparently
not, otherwise such encroachments, as happened to the animal welfare transport would not have happened.
Perhaps you
are interested who makes the projects of the Arche Noah Kreta e.V. possible, which are:
- exclusively
financed by donations, and
- do not receive one cent from Greek, German or EU authorities.
Over
90% of its members and people who send them donations are TOURISTS, who have spent their holidays in Greece and, after having
witnessed some shocking cases of cruelty against animals, have decided to support the practical and very effective work of
the animal welfare organisation. There are many tourists, who had, prior to the events at the port of Piräus, planned to continue
spending their holidays in Greece – feeling they were actively helping to ease the animal suffering there. Furthermore,
there are many amongst our members who have been planning a trip to Greece, and have been seeking, in advance of their journey,
information about the possibilities for helping the animal welfare work - the disastrous conditions and the misery of the
stray dogs and cats has long been a well-known fact.
Would it not be fitting to support the work of the German animal
welfare workers on Crete, instead of permanently putting obstacles in their path? Can Greece afford to discount the wishes
of thousands of animal-loving tourists?
Is it not finally time to raise the standards of animal welfare, to become
fit members of the EU?
Why are applications of the Arche Noah Kreta e.V. regarding the work of their vets and the licence
for their animal home – applications which are absolutely legitimate – blocked, and the animal welfare work strongly
hindered and restricted?
Perhaps you should spend just one day at the hotline of the Arche Noah Kreta e.V., where,
during the season, not an hour passes without a call from a distressed tourist who has witnessed some act of cruelty against
animals, and is now looking for advice… Or would you like to look into their many files, in which they have collected
the complaints and information from tourists regarding the animal suffering?
Greece is an attractive holiday destination
– but you should not underestimate how sensitivly tourists react to matters like "the misery of stray animals" and "animal
welfare". Especially the German (British?) tourists – many of whom have their own pets at home – are no longer
willing to spend their money in a country where animals still have no rights, are put out on the street, mistreated and killed,
and where those, who want to put an end to the suffering, are treated like criminals, and subjected to totally absurd accusations.
Holiday
idyll in the face of animal suffering – no thank you!
If Greece does not want to do without German (British?)
tourists in future, a start has to be made NOW to cooperate with those German and other foreign animal welfare organisations,
which have, in the last few years established a basis, from which the problem of the strays can be solved in the long term.
Together,
not against each other – this should be the motto for the future in all animal welfare initiatives.
For detailed
information about the animal welfare work of the "Förderverein Arche Noah Kreta e.V. and the scandal from Athens, please refer
to our website www.archenoah-kreta.com.
We are counting on your support and remain,
Yours sincerely
------------------------------------------------------
Please help us!
Our work on Crete will continue as ever, but the additional costs for the lawyers and
boarding kennels are becoming so high, that we are more dependant than ever on your help.
Account name: Förderverein Arche Noah Kreta e. V.
Bank: Commerzbank Lübeck
Bank code: 230 400 22
Account number.: 209 239
IBAN: DE02 2304 0022 0020 9239 00
BIC: COBADEFFXXX
The chronicle of the scandal
--> First news from 27.02.2005:
58 dogs were seized at the port of Piräus
--> What happened exactly
on the 27.02. at the port:
Wild West tactics
stopped the "Pyromane" – a protocol from Anna Dittmann
--> Mrs. Garagouni, the
initiator of the smear-campaign is calling for a press-conference:
The Chairman of the Greek "Animal Welfare Board" initiates a press-conference
-->
Pictures and quotations from Mrs. Garagouni's press-conference:
''I have never in all those years, claimed…!''
--> Background
information: How our animal welfare work on Crete has been and still is being hindered:
So much wasted energy!
--> Greek TV company broadcasts
more blatant slander:
Sensational report on
TV about our transport at peak viewing time
--> Supporters of animal welfare organisations
are calling a second press-conference for us
Announcement
of press-conference on Monday, March, 7th, 2005
--> Report from the second press conference
and further news:
"You've done too much animal
welfare!"
--> The end of animal welfare in Greece? Please help us to prevent this happening!
How you can help as a tourist, animal lover or business partner
March
13, 2005 Stefan Grothus
Contacts:
Thomas Busch: +49 (0) 170 3169419
Stefan Grothus: +49 (0) 172 2334408
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So much wasted energy!
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The background to the seizure of our 58 dogs is becoming clearer. According to our current information, this
was mainly an unauthorised action by Mrs Garagouni, with the collaboration of the Port Police. There is now evidence of that
which we have long known: our animal welfare work on Crete is being deliberately obstructed by the authorities in Athens and
on Crete.
A Background Report |
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Thomas Busch and I have been in Athens since Thursday. We want to find a solution for the problem of the 58 dogs, and we
want to determine who is obstructing our work. Our application for a renewed authorisation for our animal home in Chania,
which was submitted in good time, has been obstructed for 8 months, as has the application for our vets to work on Crete.
The information we have so far received from the Agriculture Ministry is useless.
The seizure of the dogs
Mrs Garagouni knew well in advance that the transport was taking place.
She received information from Chania concerning the transport and other aspects of our work, and was able to make preparations
for the seizure of the dogs.
According to information from the Public Prosecutor, no written authority for the seizure of the dogs
was available on 27th February. The Public Prosecutor who was responsible on that day (the name is known to us) now says that,
on being asked, she gave permission by telephone for the documents to be taken and withheld. No one admits to knowing anything
about the confiscation of the dogs; it was not initiated by anyone in the Public Prosecutors office. Our lawyers say that
giving permission by telephone for the seizure of the documents was against the law; a written authorization must be available
for such a confiscation. Also, the withholding of the papers was without any legal basis, since they were in order.
Whilst Thomas and I were present at Mrs Garagouni's press conference (a report follows), Costoula Dornbrach Stoupi, accompanied
by a lawyer, was making enquiries at the Public Prosecutors Office in Piräus.
The information from there: The seizure of the dogs was an unauthorised action by the Port Police, on the initiative of
Mrs Garagouni and her lawyer, Mrs Agathi Lekakou. On the instructions of the chief of the Port Police on duty that morning
(the name is known), the vehicle was held for 14 hours, isolated, and later escorted to the animal home.
The animals were supposed to be brought to a state animal home in Athens. Costula intervened, and was able to prevent this
happening. She protested against the animals being brought to the state animal home, and insisted that they be brought to
a place having reasonable standards. This resulted in the animals being brought to a private animal home, where they remain
at present. We were able to assure ourselves that the conditions there are satisfactory. We are not publishing any photographs
of this home to protect the privacy of the owner.
On the advice of a lawyer, we have made a contract with the owner of the animal home. This is to ensure that Mrs Garagouni
cannot claim ownership of the animals. In this way we establish ownership of the animals, and they are protected from further
possible unauthorised action by Mrs Garagouni. The animal home has given us a reduced rate of €10 per day, instead of
€20, but this is still an enormous and unexpected expenditure, which far exceeds our means. We will have to sue for
compensation at a later stage.
During her visit to the Public Prosecutor in Piräus, Costoula was given a written instruction to the Port Police, retrospectively
nullifying any order to seize the animals, and instructing them to be returned, since they are the property of our organisation
"Kiwotos tu Noi" on Crete.
The Port Police refuse to act on this instruction. They have subsequently realised that their action on Sunday was illegal,
and want to take legal advice.
Negative Propaganda
Mrs Garagouni has justified her actions by propagating false, negative information
about our work. She receives support from within the Ministry for Agriculture, from a woman well known to us from the time
of our "StraysAlive" campaign. This is Mrs Dile, the deputy leader of the Veterinary Department of the Ministry for Agriculture.
She is also the contact to Mrs Garagouni. We know this from a presentation in the Ministry for Agriculture, in 2004, in which
Mrs Dile, together with Mrs Garagouni, portrayed one of our animal transports as animal cruelty (see the report from 09.06.2004). Further negative comments originate from the municipal veterinary of Chania on Crete, Mr Tzigounakis. So far, he has ignored
any queries and applications we have submitted. Queries addressed to him concerning our animal welfare facilities, are answered
in a derogatory manner, without any basis in fact.
Mr. Joannis Tzigounakis
Fax: +30 28210 28053
e-Mail: dktiniat@oetenet.gr
Both Mrs Dile and Mr Tzigounakis have contributed to the situation in which the seizure of the 58 dogs was possible.
Mrs Garagouni mentioned both names as sources of her information.
Several animal welfare groups in the Athens area have also reported difficulties caused by the comments and actions of
Mrs Dile and Mr Styles of the Ministry of Agriculture. The nature of these negative comments, and their propagation, can be
judged from our report of Mrs Garagouni's press conference.
Obstructed applications
Our queries at the Ministry of Agriculture have revealed that our application
for the authorisation of the animal home has been blocked by Mr Tzigounakis on Crete, amongst others. As the local official
veterinary, the application must be approved by him before being approved in Athens. He says that he has yet to process the
application.
That our work is being obstructed is also made clear by the fact the application for work permits for our two vets, Nasima
Janassary and Mike Albring are lying in a drawer in the veterinary departm |
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