In the latest incident of animal cruelty in Greece, a 56-year-old man reportedly poisoned 8 cats in Thessaloniki, northern Greece.
Following an investigation, police officers of the Toumba precinct identified the purported culprit, subsequently forming a case file against him. The suspect was fined €60,000 under the provisions of the new animal cruelty law.
Police determined that the suspect had deliberately placed poison in the cats’ food containers, resulting in their deaths on February 28, 2025.
A case file has been prepared against the man for violating animal protection laws, and he has been fined €60,000 in administrative penalties.
During the police operation, officers confiscated a food container suspected of containing a toxic substance, which has been sent for analysis. The deceased animals will undergo examination by the relevant Veterinary Service.
Police are continuing their investigation into this latest act of animal cruelty against defenseless animals.
In Greece, in recent years huge steps have been taken compared to the past and now a fairly strict legal framework has been adopted for the protection of animals (mainly companion animals) but also for the obligations of their owners.
Under the new animal cruelty legislation in Greece, stricter fines for animal abuse, including acts such as abandonment, shooting, intentional injury, and poisoning are provided. It introduces a host of modern measures including a mandatory registration for pets and a digital health book detailing their medical history.
