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ARTICLE SUMMARY

Let's save Greek donkeys

THE Greek island of Santorini in the heart of the sapphire Aegean sea is one of the most stunningly picturesque spots in the world.

TRYING TO PUT THINGS TO BALLANCE A BIT...

03.11.07, 6:57am

When journalists or people exagerate to make a point the outcome is 100% wrong.

I demand all animals to be treated with care.

However, when I took a donkey ride to down and back up from the village of Oia I happened to stumble on a nice person who clearly loved the animal (or at least looked at it as "his business" but one way or the other treated it nicelly)

I think that the article should concetrate on INCIDENTS of bad behaviour and DEMAND actions which will ensure good treatment of animals.

This, or even worse the Camel transportation system inthe desert (!) - despite camels being more equiped to handle it obviously) and other traditional systems are the most environmentaly friendly means whick also get people closer tot he animals, something their city living distanced them from .

I dont like it when journalists just attack something to make an article, and people follow like sheep just to show they :"care"!

I totaly respect the people who feel they saw something attrocious and I want them to report it and try to IMPROVE the system ...

Without having any interest in this business (I am an economist and work in Athens) I urge you to deal with issues, firstly responsibly, and secondly with PROPOSALS at hand and active involvement in implementing them ... and then you will have everyone on your side for the sake of some poor animals being mistreated.

thank you

• Posted by: Haris • Report Comment

LET'S SAVE GREEK DONKEYS

31.10.07, 5:22am

I definetely think this is a form of animal cruelty and this is something I cannot tolerate. If the tourists aren't smart enough to know the dangers of transportation like this, then the local officials should not make travel by donkey available to them. Let them see the sights in a conventional way and not at the expense of the poor donkeys.

• Posted by: ElleJ28 • Report Comment

DONKEYS ON SANTORINI

29.10.07, 9:58pm

First just to say that I'm not 'male', as stated in the profile (can't seem to be able to change it!) .... the picture of me stroking a stray dog was taken in Thessaloniki, during my annual visit to some of those our charity, Greek Animal Rescue supports. As it happens, I spent a few hours on Santorini (en route from Ios to Athens) - in Thira ... and it brought back memories when I was on the island in 1989 (regarding an abandoned mule) ... I was in Oia, where there are 'only' 130 steps from the harbour to the village (in Thira there are 520!!). Of course I walked ... it was late afternoon and the donkeys were stumbling, they were so tired. Then one of the donkeys collapsed! His 'owner' took off the luggage, the poor donkey was frothing at the mouth ... I cried and shouted at tourists that it was all 'their fault' .... They looked at me, as they didn't know what all the fuss was about ... then there was commotion and two other donkeys turned and started running down the steps ......... Incidentally, the donkeys and mules are not given any water or food during the day, so there's nothing for the owners to 'clean up' .... and to stop anybody giving any food to them, many have to wear hand made wire muzzles ........... Many picture postcards feature the famous blue and white houses and churches ...... some show cats (who are usually poisoned at the end of the touris season, along with stray dogs!!) lazying in the sun ..... if only the reality was as pretty as the postcards!!
Well done, the Express, for your campaign to stop the donkey abuse .... sadly, I doubt it will stop .... and if you want to see another 'horror, go to You Tube and type in the 'search' box: animal abuse - Greece and then click on the picture of what's a red dustpan on a windowsill .............. it's all in Greek, but if you look at past posts, it explains everything ....

• Posted by: vesnaGAR • Report Comment

LET'S SAVE GREEK DONKEYS

28.10.07, 12:54am

any right minded person would be disgusted at the treatment of these poor animals. i don't know how overweight people can for shame mount the poor donkeys. i agree with every word that wigwam girl has said re fat lazy tourists should get off their backsides and walk.
they might shed some of their blubber.

• Posted by: con • Report Comment

GREEK DONKRYS

27.10.07, 8:25am

It`s exactly the same at Lindos on Rhodes, the donkeys take people from the harbour right to the top of the hill where the Acropolis stands.
We walked it and by god I knew about it when I got to the summit. It was 40 degrees as well.

• Posted by: Fester54 • Report Comment

ALL ANIMAL CRUELTY MUST GO

27.10.07, 6:53am

And the abuse metered out to donkeys must stop.

The Greek nation is not known for its empathy and compassion to animals rather they are a cruel nasty lot. Look at their treatment of dogs and cats so are we surprised at their treatment of donkeys? Of course not but thats not to say their abuse should continue.

All those lazy tourists should be taking a hike on foot or using the car provided. There is absolutely no excuse for cruelty to another animal. Yes authorities can do more but so can the individual and by us as individuals doing something it shows that society doesn't accept what is inherently wrong.

Mind you if we all got off our collective backsides and thought more about the other animals we share this planet with instead of just ourselves the world would not be in the shit.

• Posted by: wigwamgirl • Report Comment