Target: Vasilis Spanakis, Deputy Minister of the Interior, Athens, Greece
Goal: Pursue criminal charges against the woman who allegedly left her dog in a parked car without ventilation, rather than stopping at a €1,000 fine.
Imagine sitting in a parked car with no fresh air and no way out. That is what a dog allegedly endured in Thessaloniki. A 40-year-old woman reportedly left her canine companion alone inside the vehicle for an extended time. Onlookers noticed the animal seemingly in trouble and alerted Greece’s dedicated animal protection unit.
Police intercepted and cited the owner. She received an immediate €1,000 administrative fine. The dog reportedly showed measurable heat distress and a lack of ventilation. Animal control officers are now evaluating the dog’s long-term health. They are checking for permanent internal impairment. The case remains open. Under Greece’s 2021 animal protection framework, prosecutors can bring secondary criminal charges if forensic data proves prolonged physical torture.
A fine alone cannot undo what the dog felt. Greece wrote strong animal cruelty laws in 2021, and the public expects authorities to use them. A dog trusts its owner to keep it safe. Authorities must ensure that prosecutors review all the evidence and bring criminal charges if the dog’s condition supports them. Sign this petition to demand real accountability.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Deputy Minister Spanakis,
We are writing about a dog in Thessaloniki who was allegedly left alone in a parked car for an extended time. The animal reportedly suffered measurable heat distress and a lack of ventilation. Onlookers had to raise the alarm. The owner, a 40-year-old woman, received a €1,000 fine.
Animal control officers are still evaluating the dog’s long-term health for permanent internal impairment. Greece’s 2021 animal protection framework allows prosecutors to bring criminal charges if the evidence shows prolonged physical torture. A fine may close one chapter. It should not end this case if the facts demand more.
We respectfully urge you to ensure that prosecutors receive the full medical findings. We also urge you to make clear that the law means what it says. Dogs rely on people for water, air and shelter. When someone fails them, the response must be serious. Please stand with this dog. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Gzac2016
