A 34-year-old man in Kalamaria, a suburb of Thessaloniki, faces a 50,000-euro fine after a shocking case of animal cruelty that outraged the local community and drew national attention. The man was found guilty of abusing and killing a cat in an incident that was captured on video and widely circulated online.
The video showed the man first kicking a kitten and then deliberately running it over with his car. Public backlash was swift, and police quickly launched an investigation, leading to the suspect’s arrest and formal charges under Greece’s felony-level animal cruelty laws.
The Municipality of Thessaloniki imposed the 50,000-euro fine, the highest foreseen by Greek law for such offenses. In a public statement, the municipal authority condemned the act and reiterated its zero tolerance towards animal abuse.
“This is a shocking incident that offends the culture of Kalamaria,” the municipality said. “The imposition of this fine is a clear act of zero tolerance towards violence and abuse. We remain committed to defending the welfare of all animals and promoting respect for life in every form.”
Authorities expedited the legal and administrative processes to ensure swift punishment. The fine was confirmed and imposed with priority, reflecting growing efforts in Greece to combat animal abuse more aggressively.
The case is part of a broader campaign across Thessaloniki, where officials have reported over 30 violations by pet owners for neglect and breaches of animal welfare regulations in recent weeks.
“Society does not tolerate or justify violence against humans or animals. Our culture is judged daily by the way we treat the most defenseless,” the municipality added.
The fine is seen as a landmark step for Greece, where animal abuse has long been an under-addressed issue.
Animal cruelty is considered a criminal act in Greece and punishable by imprisonment and substantial fines.
