Greece considers new national animal control law in anticipation of 2004 Olympic furor
From ANIMAL PEOPLE, January/February 2003:
ATHENS-Greek deputy agriculture minister Fotis Hadzimichalis
on December 19, 2002 introduced a proposed national animal control
bill which according to Agence France-Press “would discourage Greeks
from abandoning their animals, while allowing local authorities to
collect, sterilize, and in certain cases kill stray dogs.”
Hadzimichalis told Agence France-Presse that, “This is the
practical answer to those who malignly accused our country of
creating crematoria for strays ahead of the 2004 Olympic Games.”
The proposed law reportedly stipulates that dogs found at
large will be vaccinated, sterilized, held for a reclaim period,
and then be returned to the capture point if deemed healthy and not
dangerous. Those suffering from incurable illness or infirmity and
those considered dangerous will be killed.