“Four teams of police officers in each prefecture of Crete will now be conducting checks on pets and their owners,” said Theodoros Perivolas, an officer with the Hellenic Police (ELAS) and the designated coordinator of the Animal Police in Heraklion, speaking to ERT3.
“In Heraklion alone, seven officers have been assigned to monitor the treatment and welfare of companion animals. Pet owners are required to have their animals microchipped and to maintain a health booklet showing annual vaccinations,” he added.
There are steep fines for non-compliance:
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€300 if an animal is not microchipped
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€1,000 if it hasn’t been vaccinated or its DNA has not been registered
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€300 for walking a dog without a leash
Regarding pets on beaches, Mr. Perivolas clarified that they are prohibited from Blue Flag beaches and from organized beaches that require an entrance fee.
The newly established department is also responsible for investigating reports of animal abuse, both active and passive. Passive abuse includes continuously chaining an animal or confining it to a balcony. According to current law, pets are allowed to be left alone for no more than two hours at a time.