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The plight of donkeys in Greece
Some donkeys are badly beaten by owners who have little regard for life. Many animals are lame with deformed hooves after years of carrying heavy loads. They suffer from severe arthritis and debilitating skin conditions because they are made to work relentlessly, carrying tourists around the island and hauling concrete slabs uphill to continue Santorini’s fast-paced development.
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For decades now people have been making money out of holiday makers on the island Santorini. Ill informed holiday makers visiting the Santorini town of
Fira have been using badly treated and abused donkeys to make their way up the cliff face to take it the magnificant views... I'm sure if the holiday makers
knew of this ill treatment then would take the modern mode of transport.....THE CABLE CAR!
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Exhausted animals suffer heat stress, injuries, dehydration, beatings and wounds as part of this ‘holiday experience’ with their poor owners working them hard to bring in a daily income. In October 2007 the newspaper Daily Express started a campaign to raise awareness of the suffering and cruelty endured by the donkeys of Greece. In particular those in Santorini. The links below are to all the articles in the Daily Express (Including one which details how owners of the animals have threatened to take physical action against any attempts to publicise the mistreatment!)
DAILY EXPRESS STARTS THE CAMPAIGN |
Animals can suffer for years because owners do not take them for treatment until
it is already too late. Overwork and bad practice can lead to animals suffering. Many donkeys spend all day every day carrying heavy loads, as they taxi
tourists across tricky terrain at bargain prices, often under the blazing sun, with little shade, water or rest.
Updated: 8th July 2009