Pack animals

I know that Greece and the Greeks are not perfect, but then again, who is? I can defend many things that are happening in Greece, even though I would like to see improvements. But there is one issue that makes me ashamed for my fellow Greeks - the way animals are treated by many.

In the wake of the backlash created by images of a mule on Hydra carrying a refrigerator, the island's mayor, Giorgos Koukoulakis, has argued that working animals are a necessity, adding that no legislation is being violated.

Speaking to state broadcaster ERT, he stressed that these are not donkeys, but mules that can lift up to 100 kilos. Cars are banned on the island.

Animal rights group PETA has accused Greek authorities of covering up what it called the "cruel" treatment of donkeys on the popular island of Santorini and blocking its efforts to highlight their plight.

Greece's Ministry of Agriculture has introduced new rules to protect the donkeys of Santorini, including a riding ban on tourists who weigh more than 100 kilograms (220 pounds), following a campaign by animal rights groups saying that burdening the donkeys with excessive loads is tantamount to torture.

By Apostolos Lakasas