Athens

Animal Lovers from all over Europe Protested on the Occasion of the Eurovision Song Contest

"Plight of strays, result in international ridicule."
By Argyro Morou - Eleftyrotypoia, Athens
 
  Those who arrived at the Olympic Stadium early that evening to watch the Eurovision song contest were treated to a preview of the
  points and the monsters before
  they saw the real "monsters" and
  the other competitors. Animal
  welfare activists from various
  European countries (Den- mark,
  Holland, England, Greece, and
  others) gathered with the aim of
  informing visitors what happens to strays in Greece, and to ask for
  their help.

The shocking photographs of the animals who featured in their placards took those who wanted to sell Greek flags and other objects by surprise but showed nothing more than what is seen daily on the streets.

Pamphlets translated into various languages, were also distributed, speaking for the "animals who have no voice of their own", as was written char- acteristically on one poster.
 

The Law (a translation from the Greek newpaper, Eleftherotypia)

"They spoke of the controversial law (3170/2003) which relates to companion animals; of poisoning, abandoning and also the rumours that accuse them of sending animals abroad not for adoption but to be used as "experimental animals"! Despite objections from a very few, their silent protest gained the attention of the Eurovision public, mainly foreigners, who had travelled to Greece from other European countries.

And for those who continue to hide their heads in the sand, let them realise one thing. Only somebody who loves this country wants it to progress. And that somebody may include foreigners. The banners with their shocking photographs are a lot more painless to deal with than that seen by an "E" reader in the National Gardens last Tuesday, at the first Eurovision party in Zappeio.

"Ducks without water and food, eating one another amid other half eaten ducks. Donkeys with broken legs. Skeletal animals, sick, hungry and without water. She describes appalling conditions and as for the reaction of those responsible " the veterinarians who carried out an examination by telephone".

They issued explicit orders for the animals to "eat 50 gram of food (per animal) always with additional salt ", so that they will drink water and not be hungry", she told us." Eleftherotypia - 22/05/2006