Most followers back in the States might be surprised (hence the secret) to know that Athens has what many blogs and posts on Athens travel websites have termed a “a stray dog problem”.
The above snapshot stares a story that Athenian citizens and tourists know all-too-well. Dogs (and to a lessor extent, cats) roam free, slipping in and out of speeding cars, plaguing the outdoor seating of cafes and restaurants with begging and barking, and relentlessly trailing any pack of tourists that reach out a helping hand.
But is this really a “problem”?
A quick, ten-minute scan around the web revealed the root of this stray animal abundance. In Athens, just like most other major cities, every municipality had a “dog catcher” that would seek to control the population of stray dogs who have been carelessly released by their owners. About ten years ago, a local animal rights group ventured into the the pounds where the stray dogs were placed; what they found were brutal conditions, maltreatment, and clear evidence of animal cruelty. After filming what they saw, they presented the evidence to the District Attorney, who immediately issued a warrant for the mayor’s arrest and consequentially put pressure on the existing pounds to dissolve. Ultimately, stray dogs were left to multiply without regulation, and the present situation ensued.
As shown in my picture, many of these dogs have collars that identify their name and registration. The local Humane Society does its best to provide food and shelter to these dogs, and of what I’ve seen, they’re doing a pretty darn good job. I have yet to see any sign of hunger or weakness among these animals (I have even seen many refuse food offered to them by vendors and tourists), and the several dogs that our group has encountered have been exceptionally friendly [and as Mittens (our above guardian) proved, protective as well)].
It is easy to concede and label this situation as an “infestation” and/or “problem”; many attacks on tourists and children have been reported, the dogs are a definite traffic hazard to Greek drivers, and their presence around the city can sometimes be overly distracting. One might also be quick to argue that in Greece’s present financial dilemma, the money going to aid these dogs could easily be put to better use.
But in regard to my personal experiences, I want to suggest otherwise.
For one, encounters with several of these canines have helped to combat the sadness I experienced when leaving my own puppy after Winter Break; as many would agree, any dog is better than no dog. Secondly, and probably more importantly, I realized tonight how the presence of such an animal can significantly curb one’s perception of uneasiness. I found one blog that termed the strays “Canine Guardians”, and accordingly, our friend Nihta served as a wonderful escort through poorly lit alleys to tonight’s dinner destination.
Although she had disappeared by the time we finished our meal, I knew that she is quite possibly warm and well-fed. For all the trouble these canines might cause, they have certainly proven to me their branding as “man’s best friend.”
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