Suffering of Donkeys and Mules on Santorini Continues. Help Them Now!

  • by: PETA
  • recipient: Makis Voridis, Greek Minister for Agricultural Development and Food
A new eyewitness investigation shows that exhausted donkeys and mules with bloody wounds are still being forced to carry tourists up and down steep, slippery steps all day long on the Greek island of Santorini.

This new exposé shows that, a year after the release of PETA Germany's first eyewitness investigation of this cruel industry, animals are still being exploited as tourist "taxis" on the island. Following an appeal by PETA Germany, the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food banned any person weighing over 100 kilograms from riding the animals, but they're still being forced to carry tourists of all weights.

Many donkeys and mules have painful wounds – both fresh injuries and old, untreated ones that have scarred over – on their abdomens caused by ill-fitting saddle girths and other inadequate equipment. For them, every step means pain.

Sign our petition asking the Greek minister for agricultural development and food to ban cruel donkey and mule rides on Santorini immediately.
Dear Minister Voridis,

I was shocked to see PETA Germany's disturbing video footage revealing cruelty to donkeys and mules for tourist rides on Santorini.

This new exposé shows that, a year after the release of PETA Germany's first eyewitness investigation of this cruel industry, animals are still being exploited as tourist "taxis" on the island. Despite government promises and new animal welfare laws, handlers still beat them into giving rides and fail to provide them with adequate food and water. Local police don't monitor the animals' treatment or enforce the legislation.

Furthermore, many donkeys and mules have painful wounds – both fresh injuries and old, untreated ones that have scarred over – on their abdomens caused by ill-fitting saddle girths and other inadequate equipment. For them, every step means pain.

These rides are also dangerous for tourists who negotiate the steps on foot: in 2015, a woman was trampled to death by a donkey.

[Your comments]

It's unacceptable that despite years of pleas from animal advocates, a European country still allows this blatant animal abuse. It's time that the Greek government implemented new legislation banning donkey and mule rides on Santorini altogether. This is the only way to prevent the animals from suffering, so please make the compassionate decision to ban cruel rides immediately.

Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
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