Residents of Thessaloniki are expressing outrage and fear after a pack of stray dogs attacked a 14-year-old girl while she was walking through a park in the city. The incident occurred in the area between Pylaia and Toumba, where locals say groups of aggressive strays have been roaming freely for months.
According to local reports, the girl was walking through Kipos Kalou when five to six dogs began chasing her. Panicked, she screamed and ran for safety. Nearby patrons at a bar rushed outside and managed to scare off the dogs before they could cause serious harm.
Speaking to Greek television, the girl’s mother described the terrifying episode: “My daughter told me that while she was walking home that evening, the dogs started chasing her. She got scared and began shouting and running. Fortunately, people nearby came to help and drove the dogs away. This is a busy, residential area.”
Residents say this is not an isolated event. The same pack has reportedly attacked other animals — particularly cats — and, in at least one earlier case, another young woman. The issue has spread across several neighborhoods, from Pylaia to Kalamaria, generating frustration and anxiety among locals. “I keep hearing about these dogs all the time. Social media pages are full of complaints. The municipality has been informed countless times,” the mother said, adding that she herself had previously reported the problem by email.
The attack has renewed calls for immediate municipal action to remove or properly shelter the strays before more serious injuries occur. Many residents accuse the local authorities of neglect, saying repeated warnings have gone unanswered despite the growing danger.
