The video showing the killing of a stray <a href="https://tomanifesto.gr/dog in Gastouni, Elis has sparked strong reactions and mobilization from both animal welfare organizations and the authorities.
The video footage shows a car approaching the animal, slowing down, and then running over it before continuing on its way. As noted on ERT’s program “Weekend at 5,” the incident occurred on a road with limited traffic, where it would have been possible to avoid the animal.
The search for the driver continues
The president of the Panhellenic Animal Welfare and Environmental Federation, Christina Nomikou, described the incident as “shocking.”
She emphasized that the driver realized what had happened, as both tires ran over the unfortunate animal, and noted that he did not even stop afterward to call for help.
Referring to it as a “deliberate” crime, as he put it, the Federation has already taken legal action and is offering a reward of 3,000 euros for information leading to the identification of the perpetrator.
At the same time, he noted that there is a strong mobilization of citizens who are trying to help in every way possible by providing information to the authorities.
In response to a related question, he noted that reports indicate the driver is a woman, a fact that has not been confirmed by the relevant authorities.
“It’s just a matter of time” before the suspect is identified, say police
From the police’s perspective, the vice president of the Panhellenic Federation of Police Officers, Christos Syndrevelis, noted that the case is in the preliminary investigation stage, with authorities collecting video footage from the vehicle’s route.
In his assessment, locating the driver is “a matter of time,” despite the fact that the license plates are not clearly visible in the video in question.
Special mention was also made of the legal aspects of the case.
Dr. Criminology and attorney Panagiotis Papaioannou emphasized that this is a felony, noting that the footage “shows a deliberate act.”
He stressed that violence against animals is scientifically linked to broader patterns of antisocial behavior, referring to a “preparation for violence” that can extend to humans as well.
At the same time, he expressed reservations about issuing a public appeal for information, arguing that the investigation must remain exclusively in the hands of the authorities, without “privatizing” the process, as digital traces and the available evidence are sufficient to identify the perpetrator.
