Press Release — Charges pressed by the Panhellenic Veterinary Association (P.V.S) regarding the free sterilization programme conducted by volunteer European vets in October 2017 were rejected by the District Attorney’s Office of Chania as legally groundless.
In February the Municipality of Chania successfully completed 3 days of the free sterilization programme of stray animals, despite repeated attempts by the P.V.S, a private vet as well as the Veterinary Authority of Chania to put an end to the programme.
The Panhellenic Animal Welfare and Environmental Federation support volunteer European vets,who in co-operation with the Municipalities of the country, offer their services and carry out free sterilization programmes of stray animals aiming at the reduction of the stray animal population.
The volunteer European vets are experienced professionals who offer their services in many countries, but have been under attack by the Veterinary Authority of Chania. The charges which were formulated against them were rejected by the District Attorney’s Office in Chania.
Every Municipality in Greece which has decided to utilize the institution of volunteer European vets for the benefit of stray animals,the local community and the economy, underwent similar attacks by the P.V.S.
The sole victims of the attack : the dozens of stray dogs and cats which uncontrollably reproduce and the local communities.
For months now, it has been evident (from a simple navigation on the website) that the sole purpose and fixation of the trade-unionist private vets, was the abolition of the institution of free sterilizations by volunteer European vets.
The new Deputy Mayor Michalis Vlachakis decided to implement the unanimous decision of the City Council of Chania regarding the conduct of the programme of sterilization of stray animals on February 23,24 and 26.
On the morning of February 23, the new Deputy Mayor in charge,Mr.M.Vlachakis, the representative of the Board of Directors of the Bar Association of Chania, Mr.H.Zolindakis and the President of our Federation,Mrs.Mpompolaki, informed the District Attorney’s Office of Chania and following its assurance of the legality of the programme, the scheduled programme of the sterilizations of stray animals in the allocated accommodation of the Public Veterinary Office commenced and was successfully completed, despite the best efforts of the PVS to stop the surgery.
During the first session the Veterinary Authority of the Regional Unity of Chania was summoned but the Deputy Mayor was not intimidated.The European vets continued their volunteer work.
On the afternoon of the same day, the police visited the accommodation upon reports of the aforementioned trade-unionist vet that the sealing of the Public Veterinary Office had supposedly been violated. The police decided that the information is false and the European vets continued their volunteer work.
On the second day, Saturday, the P.V.S launched an accusation to the Drug Enforcement Agency, summoning them to check the Public Veterinary Office for illegal drugs. The Deputy Mayor contacted the D.E.A; the European vets continued their volunteer work.
On Monday morning, a report had been filed also with the Labour Inspection Office,the employees of which visited the accommodation to inspect the documents of the volunteer vets.The inspection was conducted without of course, anything impeachable having been found; the European vets continued their volunteer work.
Just like the last time where eleven private vets of a total of 38 had requested the cancellation of the programme of free sterilizations, offer their services”in exchange”.
Let the Panhellenic society be informed then, that 5 months after their unethical proposition, NO sterilization has been offered.
As volunteers, animal welfare supporters,citizens, we wish to thank the European vets, who for 3 days, from morning to night, offered their services pro bono to the Municipality of Chania,sterilizing with professionalism approximately 80 stray animals,a well as to the members of the association ”the protection of animals” who contributed by every means for the successful completion of the programme.
We sincerely thank the Bar Association of Chania,who have yet once again,actively supported the programme of free sterilizations, arming us with legal arguments in favor of this institution.
The renewed effort of animal welfare organizations are supported by many scientific and social bodies while simultaneously congratulating us on our actions which prove to be only beneficial, and certainly for the animals themselves.
Lastly, we express our warmest congratulations to Mr.M.Vlachakis,Deputy Mayor of Chania, for his courage and consistency with which he defended in actualizing the decision of the City Council,by being constantly present in the vicinity of the Public Vet’s Office and in contact with the District Attorney and Police Authorities whenever deemed necessary.We hope that this is the first step in a series of substantial actions in the reduction of the stray animal population in Chania.
Volunteerism is welcome from wherever it comes from, be it Greece or other European countries.
For the
Panhellenic Animal Welfare and Environmental Federation
The President
Natasa Vyssinou Mpompolaki
