This past month in and around the Kavala area, we have experienced a virtual slaughter of our stray animals. As we know all too well, this really isn't news, this is a common every day occurrence. If it doesn't happen here, it happens elsewhere in Greece, every single day.
We have written hundreds of letters, signed petitions, appeared on TV programmes, call in radio shows, and not a single positive thing has transpired, NOT A SINGLE POSITIVE THING - if anything, the poisoning has increased. Aesops has lost 80% of the dogs it has neutered and released since the inception of the programme 12 years ago. The only dogs saved from this horrific fate are those that we have managed to rehome in Germany, the USA and UK.
Not only is this so emotionally painful, it's been a huge waste of time and resources. The vast amount of these thousands and thousands of EUROS were raised from independent well meaning private citizens. The thousands of hours involved in transporting animals to and from the vet, nursing through recovery, removal of stitches, administration of anti-biotics, inoculations, all totally wasted. We all have experienced this time and time again.
Below you will find an obit, a brief story of Homer. This big gentle giant survived two previous poisonings and a gangrenous infection that took his front leg. Rescued by Aesops and nursed back to health on each occasion, we couldn't return him to the streets again. He lived with us and was later adopted by the vet that removed his leg. Homer was mascot and companion, accompanying the vet to and from work. Homer was singled out and with a wagging tail and trusting eyes, right next door to the office, accepted poisoned bait from one of Greece's many cowardly killers.
Goodbye Homer – Rest in Peace
Homer was buried today, another victim of Greece’s barbaric cruelty. Homer was poisoned, and died in wrenching pain and agony on the streets of Eleutheroupolis, not more than 15 meters away from his boss’s office and surgery. There are no words to describe Homer’s killer.
Certainly a coward, certainly a miscreant, a cretin that took sick pleasure in giving trusting Homer the poison that killed him.
Three legged Homer had survived 2 previous poisonings, beatings, and every other form of animal cruelty known in Greece, but he still loved and trusted mankind and even the coward that took his life. Homer, was adopted by the same local Eleutheroupolis vet that saved his life and served as his mascot. He hobbled on three legs over to the office and then back home when work was done. He was a gentle loving companion that didn’t bother anyone and was loved by so many. Cowardly barbaric poisoning is how the citizens take care of animal control in Greece. So sad in the year 2009, but that’s how it is. We will never forget you Homer.
It's finally time to do something about this cruelty. It's way past time to do something about the plight of the Stray Animals in Greece. That's why Aesops and Greek Animal Rescue (GAR) are asking CIDAG and all of Greece's Rescue organizations everywhere to STAND UP - SPEAK UP - ACT UP for the Stray Animals in Greece.
PLAN OF ACTION:
In view of the futility of our work, and our inability to be heard by government, drastic action has to take place. Our options are few, but I do believe there is strength in numbers. If we can engage 500 plus active members in the many towns and villages throughout Greece, and they can engage another 1500, I am confident that we will be heard.
Prior to the end of January, a registered letter is going to be sent to the New Minister of Tourism with copies to the Prime Minister, associated Ministers of Agriculture, Public Order, and Macedonia and Thrace, and the Mayor of Athens. The letter describes the problem in detail and proposes the solution - which is simply to enforce the law. A copy of this letter will be provided to all of the members who agree to STAND UP - SPEAK UP - AND ACT UP FOR THE STRAY ANIMALS OF GREECE.
This letter to SELECT MINISTERS OF GREECE not only describes the problem and provides the solution, but details the consequences of their continued inaction. It provides thirty days for them to respond as to whether or not they intend to enforce the law as written.. Failure to respond (and we fully expect that this is to be the case) will be construed and interpreted as their intention to neither enforce nor implement the law.
Our only course of action, since we cannot block the roads as the students and farmers do, is to tell the world in glowing descriptive detail, of the horrors that stray animals in Greece endure. Much has been written and photographed - you only have to Google: Greece Animal Cruelty to see the hundreds of entries and what others have written, photographed and video taped. At every opportunity, Western International Press will be contacted and provided with current photographs and stories. The Tourism Industry on which Greece heavily relies, will be inundated with petitions and press releases, we will ask you to voice your opinions in local press and on local talk and radio programmes, we will attempt to be heard on National TV and National Radio.
We will reach out to International Animal Rescue Organizations for support. We plan to print and distribute brightly colored adhesive water proof posters & stickers that will be displayed throughout Greece in every conceivable public space, (just like the circus posters) drawing the citizens attention to animal cruelty, poisoning, and abandonment. Our hope is that thousands and thousands of these posters & stickers can be prominently displayed in the ports, tourist and public areas throughout Greece, everywhere in Greece, and will gain the attention of the Media.
We can't do much, but there are some things we can do, and I hope your fertile minds can think of even more ways to Stand Up and Speak Out. We always want work within the law, however close to the fringe it may be. Even though the Greek Government does not enforce their laws, it is incumbent on all of us to obey the law.
I would like to know the extent of your interest and approximately how many volunteers your organization could commit to the Sticker Effort. (Stickers and Posters plastered everywhere) 1 April is the target date for the campaign to begin. I will in turn let you all know what the response has been to this solicitation.
Google: Greece Animal Cruelty to see the hundreds of complaints, entries, photographs and videos.
