A licensed Greek transporter has been detained by Italian authorities in the Port City of Ancona, Italy for transporting 102 abandoned and abused Greek dogs to destinations of registered shelters, foster homes and permanent adoptive families in Germany and Holland.
The dogs, all properly microchipped and passported according to EU Regulations left the Greek Port City of Igoumenitsa on Sunday, March 18th, 2007, in two race horse transporters, with the approval of the Greek Port Police and the Greek Ministry of Agriculture Veterinarian.
The driver, Yiannis Vasiliou, well known and respected in European transport circles, chauffeurs valuable race horses and dogs in two massive, modern temperature controlled vehicles.
Based on unsubstantiated allegations of dog
trafficking for commercial gain, originating from
suspect sources in Athens, ENPA, the Italian
National Animal Protection Board has pressured
Italian authorities to impound the
dogs and detain the driver for questioning.
Greek rescue organizations report that ENPA
press releases and Italian news articles are
completely inaccurate.
According to sources in Athens, the dogs are
registered to Greek animal rescue organizations
and individuals who dedicate their lives to saving
the stray dogs of Greece.
Posioning, hanging and
drowning, well documented by photographs and
graphic video are the common methods used
nationwide to contain the animal population
crisis in a country that refuses to initiate low
cost spay neuter programs. International Animal
Wefare Organizations have battled this problem
for years, with little or no results.
A source close to the authorities, states that
the Italians do not wish to return the animals to
Greece because of nationwide brutality and
abuse issues.
Several Greek rescuers whose
dogs are on the transport have
traveled to Ancona to meet with
public prosecuters and obtain
the release of the animals.
Grassroots advocates in Greece,
determined to save lives, are
left with no other alternative than
to rehome these abandoned and
abused animals in Europe.
Better conditions and better handling of animals during transport are two of the main aspects of the regulation that entered into force on 5 Jan 07, radically overhauling existing rules on animal welfare.
Under the new rules, vehicles used to transport animals for long journeys – more than 8 hours – must meet higher standards for ventilation, drinking equipment and temperature monitoring.
It is no longer legal to transport very young animals over 100 km or female animals within one week of giving birth.
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