A €20,000 fine has been imposed on a hotel owner in the first leg of Halkidiki after the animal welfare organization Animal Rescue and Defense Squad revealed that he used two Macaw parrots for commercial gain.

According to the organization, the operation involved police officers from the Kassandra Police Department, the Halkidiki Forestry Department, and the Municipality of Kassandra.

“With the impeccable cooperation of all parties involved, two Macaw parrots used for speculative purposes on the beach of Pefkohori were removed by order of a prosecutor. A complaint was filed for welfare offenses and passive abuse. By order of the Prosecutor of Halkidiki, the animals were confiscated, and the administrative fines stipulated in Article 14 of Law 4830/2021, amounting to €20,000, were imposed,” stated the announcement from the animal welfare organization.

Announcement from the Animal Rescue and Defense Squad:

“Yesterday, we actively participated in a highly coordinated operation with the Greek Police Department of Kassandria, the Forestry Department of Halkidiki, and the Municipality of Kassandra, resulting in a successful outcome.

Through our excellent cooperation, two Macaw parrots, which were being exploited for commercial purposes on the beach of Pefkohori, were removed by order of a prosecutor.

A complaint was filed regarding animal welfare conditions and passive abuse. Consequently, by order of the Prosecutor of Halkidiki, the animals were confiscated, and the administrative fines stipulated in Article 14 of Law 4830/2021, amounting to €20,000, were imposed.

We hope this action will contribute to reducing the exploitation of animals for commercial gain.”