‘Donkey’ Demonstrators Descend on Greek Embassies Around the World
A herd of PETA “donkeys” descended on Greek consulates and embassies around the world to call for an end to Santorini’s notoriously inhumane donkey rides.
The demonstrations were held after a new undercover investigation revealed continuing animal abuse on Santorini. Even though laws were passed to protect donkeys following a PETA Germany exposé on the island in 2018, this recent footage reveals that abuse still occurs. Donkeys and mules, many with painful wounds, are still being used as “taxis” for tourists.
Compassionate people are speaking out for these animals outside Greek consulates and embassies around the world, including in Berlin, London, Paris, Sydney, and Washington, DC.
What’s Happening on Santorini?
After PETA and our international affiliates initiated campaigns to ban donkey and mule rides on Santorini in September 2018, the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food passed a law stating that tourists weighing more than 100 kilograms would no longer be allowed to ride the animals.
However, the new investigation shows that this law is neither observed nor enforced, as tourists of all weights are still being permitted to take rides. The island’s government has apparently also failed to act against other types of animal abuse.
Around 100 exhausted donkeys and mules are still forced to carry tourists up and down more than 500 steep, slippery steps to Firá’s old town all day long.
Many donkeys and mules have painful wounds – both fresh injuries and old, untreated ones that have scarred over – on their abdomens caused by ill-fitting saddles and other inadequate equipment. For them, every step means pain.
How You Can Help Donkeys
Ask the Greek minister of agriculture to ban cruel donkey and mule rides on Santorini immediately:
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