Volunteers from the Non-Profit Urban Organization “Adopt a Paw Today” are making an urgent appeal to the responsible authorities regarding the issue of stray animals in the Municipality of Troizinia-Methana.

In their letter, they highlight that the area has a large number of unsterilized animals, likely due to a lack of awareness or insufficient enforcement by the responsible bodies. The animals that are born are abandoned helplessly on the streets.
“These images always reach us, and each time, we find ourselves in an uphill battle to save them,” they emphasize.

The Letter of Protest

Subject: The Unresolved Issue of Stray Animals in Troizinia – Concerns Over Continuous Animal Poisonings

Dear Sirs/Madams,

With this letter, we wish to express our deep frustration and indignation at the ongoing indifference and complete lack of measures taken by the Municipality regarding the stray animal crisis in the region.

Since 2020, the volunteer team of Adopt a Paw Today has undertaken the care and rescue of 150 stray animals from your area—entirely at our own expense and effort.

Despite our help, however, the stray animal problem in your area continues to worsen.

The situation remains dire and is constantly deteriorating. We have observed that many animals in the area are unsterilized, likely due to a lack of awareness or control measures by the authorities. As a result, unwanted pregnancies occur, and newborn animals are abandoned helplessly on the streets.
“These distressing images always reach us, and each time, we engage in an unequal battle to save them.”

Despite the seriousness of the issue, the Municipality has taken no action and has not imposed any fines or penalties.

According to Law 4831/21 (Article 9), sterilization and electronic tagging (microchipping) of companion animals is mandatory for all owners, aiming to reduce the stray population.
Violators of this law face fines of up to €500 per unsterilized or untagged animal. However, despite this legislation, there is a clear failure to enforce the law, and the Municipality has taken no measures to ensure compliance.

Additionally, it is essential that the Municipality conducts thorough checks on local residents to identify those whose animals have not been sterilized or microchipped.
By identifying these animals and imposing the appropriate fines, this would serve as a first step toward resolving the issue. Owners must take responsibility for sterilizing and tagging their pets to control the stray population and prevent further escalation of the problem.

A particularly disturbing issue is the reported incidents of animal poisonings in the area.
We know that at least five dogs from your area have suffered a horrific death in the past six months alone—not counting the unknown number of cats, foxes, and jackals that may have also fallen victim.

For two of these dogs, which died in a brutal and unjust manner, all necessary complaints have been submitted by a volunteer to the local Police Department, yet no action has been taken so far.

Law 4831/21 (Article 22) is clear and strict regarding animal poisonings, outlining criminal charges for animal abuse with jail sentences and/or financial penalties.

Those who spread poisoned bait (“fóles”) in the area are a significant danger, not only to animals but also to society.
This practice poses a serious risk to public health, especially in areas where stray animals interact with children and other citizens.

A few days ago, five shepherd puppies were abandoned in the yard of a volunteer in Galatas, who is already struggling to single-handedly care for dozens of stray animals.

We demand an immediate investigation to identify who in the area owns an unsterilized shepherd dog that recently gave birth and to impose the appropriate fines.

As responsible citizens and volunteers, we call on the Municipality of Troizinia-Methana to finally take action.

The Municipality must:

• Conduct checks on residents to determine whether their animals are sterilized and microchipped.
• Enforce fines on negligent owners.
• Launch a thorough investigation into cases of poisoning and animal abuse.
• Protect the animals from these criminal acts.

We urge immediate action to resolve these serious issues.

Sincerely,
Adopt a Paw Today NPO
Volunteer Animal Care Team