In a wide-ranging sweep across Thessaloniki, Greek authorities have cited more than 30 violations against pet owners for neglect and breaches of animal welfare laws. Meanwhile, a separate and deeply disturbing case of animal cruelty has shaken the city, with a 34-year-old man now facing multiple charges after a shocking incident in which he was seen kicking and then running over a kitten with his car.

Cracking Down on Pet Owner Negligence

Over the past month, police in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, carried out a coordinated operation in collaboration with municipal officers to check compliance with laws concerning companion animals. The operation spanned several suburban municipalities.

Out of 163 pet owners inspected, the police issued more than 30 fines, highlighting a growing concern about responsible pet ownership in urban Greece. Violations included:

  • 10 fines of €300 each for failure to microchip pets by the legal deadline
  • 16 fines of €300 each for walking pets without a leash
  • 2 fines of €100 for not cleaning up after their animals
  • 1 fine of €500 for causing a noise disturbance with a pet
  • 1 fine of €500 for obstructing a police inspection
  • 1 fine of €1,000 for failing to update the pet’s health records or complete annual veterinary checks

According to the Thessaloniki Police Department, these inspections are part of a broader strategy to uphold legal standards, educate the public, and improve the welfare of animals in urban areas. Authorities stated that similar operations will continue in high-traffic zones frequented by pet owners.

Man Arrested for Killing Kitten

In a separate and harrowing case that has sparked outrage across Greece, a man was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday in the coastal Thessaloniki district of Kalamaria. A disturbing video circulated online showed him kicking a kitten and then deliberately running it over with his car.

Following a swift investigation by the local police, the suspect—a 34-year-old Greek national—was identified and taken into custody. Upon searching his residence, officers found illegal drugs, a digital scale with drug residues, a folding knife, €4,500 in cash, and a laminated card commonly used for cutting powdered narcotics.

The man has confessed to the crime, and a criminal case has been opened against him. He faces administrative fines for killing a companion animal, as well as charges related to drug possession and paraphernalia. He is expected to appear before the public prosecutor later today.

Animal rights organizations and social media users in Greece have reacted with outrage to the incident, calling for stricter enforcement and harsher penalties for animal abuse. In Greece, animal cruelty is a criminal offense that can carry prison sentences and heavy fines.