An illegal burial site for pets has been discovered in a public park in Athens after concerned citizens reported the matter to the municipality. The site, located in Alsos Chorofylakis near the city’s municipal veterinary clinic, has reportedly been used since 2021 for the burial of companion animals.

According to the Athens municipality, new complaints continue to surface, with residents pointing to additional areas of the park where animal remains are believed to be buried.

Olga Dourou, Deputy Mayor for Urban Fauna and Animal Welfare, confirmed that a municipal team carried out an on-site inspection after receiving the latest tip. “We initially found a skeleton, and soon after, more remains. The police were immediately called, the area was sealed off, and I filed a complaint against those responsible,” she said.

Dourou stressed that such practices pose public health risks, especially since the park is a recreational space frequented by children. She noted that the municipality has an official procedure for handling deceased animals, which is through cremation, not burial.

The deputy mayor added that the municipality has launched an internal investigation to determine how the burials were carried out and whether municipal employees were involved. So far, the remains appear to date back to 2021, but it remains unclear if the practice continued in the following years.

For now, the sections of the park where animal bones were discovered have been cordoned off and are under municipal guard while the investigation proceeds.