Obese tourists banned from riding Greece’s Santorini donkeys

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In order to protect the iconic Greece Santorini donkeys, new rules have been established by the government to ensure the safety of the animals. In response to numerous complaints from animal advocates as well as tourists, the new regulations will set weight limits for those riding the donkeys.

According to Greek News, activists have long complained that the donkeys have been suffering spinal injuries. Tourists pay a fee to ride the donkeys up steep cliffs from the shore to the island’s picturesque town, however obese sightseers have placed too much weight on the donkeys, critically injuring their spines. The new regulation limits the people who ride them to under 220 pounds or one-fifth of the donkey’s body weight.

“The animals should not be loaded with a weight excessive in size, age or physical condition,” stated the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food.

Santorini has steep and difficult terrain to travel, and the donkeys are able to travel the worn pathways where cars can not maneuver. In July, a petition garnered over 108,000 signatures calling for an end to the donkeys being used as transportation.

“Despite the fact that it’s only a 30 minute walk (depending on how fast you are – that’s how long it took me) or 2 minutes by cable car, these donkeys are used as cruel transportation for people who want the ‘real Greek’ experience.”

In addition, for all the work and money they make for their owners, the donkeys are often treated so poorly.

“These donkeys are forced to stand around in the sun in their own faeces at the side of the path and all they do is go up and down, up and down carrying people who are too lazy to just walk or take cable car. In addition, the farmers give them lashings to make them go faster up the path when carrying tourists etc.
I’m so so saddened by this, even old donkeys who have probably been doing this all their lives haven’t been given to the shelters yet. So if you ever go to Santorini – or any other place that offers rides on animals such as donkeys or elephants etc. please, please do not support this mindless and unnecessary animal torture.”

Further restrictions require the donkeys be exercised once a day for at least a half-hour and have a continuous supply of drinking water. Owners now have to take responsibility that the health, stables, and supplies for the donkeys are clean, well-maintained and free from disease, with officials stressing under no circumstances can they be used if deemed unfit for work. (included are maintenance of their hooves, advanced pregnancy or injured)

The Donkey Sanctuary met with the Greek government in August, in response to the intense criticism, to discuss the safety and health of the animals at which time there were pledges made to improve the conditions of the equines. Still most advocates do not believe the new law will do much good, and it will not prevent the daily suffering of these gentle animals. Imagine how exhausted and painful it must be for the donkeys having to carry an adult up 500 steep steps four to five times a day?

Video:

https://www.facebook.com/TheDonkeySanctuary/videos/10155537421898201/

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Yesterday in the news: The rescue pup who stole the show in “A Star is Born” – more here.

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7 COMMENTS

  1. Yep I think this is a great idea I still think 220 pounds is WAY too much.
    The weight restriction should be more like 175 180 max .
    I’m fat and I know it and I would never let an animal endure me riding around on their back it’s better for me to walk my fat ass and maybe get some exercise… just like some of these other fat piece of shit should be doing.

    • I agree with you. The weight restrictions should be ~175lbs. AND enforced by weighing people @ ticket purchase time vs. “self reported” weights……

    • Yes Micele, I’m the same, wouldn’t dream of letting an animal carry me anywhere and neither should anyone else. It’s about time Santorini set a new Greek tradition “We look after our donkeys, we don’t hire them out for rides”.

  2. Limits are good but 220 lb. is still too much, but what do you expect from the Greek government. These “tourist” rides need to end now and find another way to milk the tourists for money. Hope the animal advocates in Greece keep an eye on this to make sure it is enforced.

  3. I’ve always hated the loads those sweet animals have to carry and the rather awful terrible way they are urged on sickens me. Remember the story about that poor horse in New York?? Gladvtheres anlit but even 220 pounds sounds like an overload!!

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