The donkeys of Greece are finally getting a break, with the Greek government introducing new legislation which will see their working conditions improve.
Santorini is one of these key destinations, where an estimated 300-400 donkeys are forced to labor seven days a week without any breaks, hydration, or shelter from the scorching sun. Many suffer from spinal injuries due to non-stop heavy loads, and often their poorly fitted harnesses cause painful wounds.
These donkeys and mules have trudged their way up and down the approximately 600 steps for decades, bearing the load of tourists who are too lazy to make the journey themselves, despite the option of a cable car that is the same cost — if not cheaper — than a donkey ride.
Part of the new legislation bans owners from loading the animals with any weight exceeding 100kg or one-fifth of their body weight — effectively excluding overweight tourists from riding them.
Animal advocacy organization Greek Animal Welfare Fund (GAWF) has been pushing for these changes for years and are pleased to see progress.
“It’s not only [donkey] owners in this case who need to be responsible, who have to say ‘you appear to be too heavy. I am sorry, but my animal has limits,’” says Paul McGlone, chief executive of GAWF. “Tourists, too, also need to make an informed decision.”
Along with the weight restrictions, new shaded areas and water troughs are being built for the donkeys. Any animals considered to be ill or incapable of working will be barred from duty, and all animals must be provided with drinking water and high-quality food in clean containers.
While it is encouraging that measures are being taken to improve the health and welfare of these precious donkeys, we believe that the exploitation should cease altogether. Donkeys have been used as beasts of burdens for centuries, but with modern technology and awareness about animal rights, there is no excuse to continue enslaving animals for human profit or convenience.
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This cruelty to these poor animals needs to stop.
Ban completely.
This must stop altogether, it is a clear animal cruelty, and totally unnecessary!! Tourists have another options that can chose, so leave the donkeys live their life in peace. Either walk or take a gondola. Simple and easy. Humans don’t know when to stop with animal exploitation and are paying for it in different ways, as karma works.
fat slobs just for OH IM ON VACATION!!!!! good i hope greece fines the crap, out of those who dont give a crap for there animals!!!!!
STOP THIS AND NOW, LEAVE IT TO THE GREEKS ?
GO BUTT FUCK YOUR SELFVE
Ban this immediately.
Ban these forever these animals don’t deserve this!!!!
They are not trucks they have feeling, stop torturing these donkeys…Fat people need exercise not rides.!~
This is barbaric and as a travel agent I do NOT encourage the use of animals for fun and pleasure – ie, swimming with dolphins and stingrays, sitting on the horses at Monument Valley for pictures, and donkey riding ANYwhere. I remember watching a donkey owner beating his poor charge in Santorini several years ago. It was appalling. I was, however, able to give water to a nursing dog that had been splashed with paint by a nearby contractor (according to the shop owner) and I carry “safe” dog biscuits when I travel to countries where they don’t take care of their strays.
A bit of walking would save your life. Or at least extended. In reverse. Try to carie o donky for a day. To say thank you Donky for never complaining. Over
I’ve always loved donkeys and am appalled at how they are treated worldwide – like objects plodding patiently up and down inaccessible paths so that the overweight burdens on their backs can sit like large blobs, while the poor animal does all the work. Now with the Chinese killing thousands of them for their skins, the poor donkey is doomed unless those of us with compassion and who are aware of this barbaric practice, protest to all those moronic countries who allow the deaths by the Chinese and ill treatment of these gentle creatures in other countries, like Spain, Greece, the Middle East and many more countries who ought to know better.
Cruel to donkeys
Fatties should never be allowed to ride on the poor donkeys. Walk, it will do you good!!
Parabéns, mas o ideal é que acabe com esses passeios. Os cavalos não merecem essa escravidão. É um absurdo, não visito locais que usam animais pra turista babaca passear.
How twisted is our human mind that we think it’s ok to enslave animals and deprive them of their right to freedom.