New Welfare Law companion animals with many gray areas and different speeds (great progress has been made for pets, but not for other animals); almost daily abuse; citizens who do not know exactly what to do when they witness abuse; police officers, whom they often do not know the content of the law or are unwilling to apply it; municipalities that are inconsistent in their legal obligations towards the homeless…

It was in such a “cloudy” landscape that the non-profit organization team was born Voice of dogs the idea of ​​creating the platform “Animal Defenders of Greece”, animal lawyers.dogsvoice.grwhere citizens and animal welfare organizations can apply for legal assistance and receive free advice and legal representation in animal cruelty cases through a specialized network of lawyers.

At the same time, with an eye on a new generation of lawyers, the initiative (which, it should be noted, is not funded by the state, but is supported by Pet City and the Law Library) includes the creation of the first Animal Law Seminar with the participation of students and teachers from three law schools in the country.

What needs led to the creation of the platform? “While many of our fellow citizens believe that no animal should be abused and treated like a thing, we find that very few are trained to defend animal rights before the Greek justice system. In other words, there is clearly a gap: in the provision of legal services, in the promotion of animal law as a field worth studying at a Greek university, and in the direct access of citizens and organizations to lawyers specialized in animal law. We want to fill this gap, looking forward to a future where animal rights are respected.” Elena Dede explains “K”.attorney and founder of Dogs’ Voice.

However, there is another reason that makes this initiative important, as indicated by Antonios Karabatzos, professor of civil law at the Faculty of Law of the Athens University of Applied Sciences: “Law cannot remain indifferent to contemporary social events and challenges. It is clear that the problem of animal protection is no longer “marginal”, on the contrary, it exists forever – and fortunately – in public discussion, while it has entered almost every home, especially the younger generation. Therefore, this is a question that cannot leave the legal world of the country indifferent. On the contrary, it should seriously concern us in all its dimensions.”

Advocate Konstantinos Tokatlides is among those who will participate in the legal aid network, has no illusions about the difficulties of the enterprise, but is not afraid of them… – who do not want this and are struggling with it. But the animals themselves have no way to protect themselves, no power, no way to be heard; whether in the hands of the offender or in the machines of the factory, their fate is hidden and their suffering mute. And our culture does not accept lack of power as a reason for neglecting and torturing sentient beings.”

And, of course, our anthropocentric justice must take care not only of animals, but also of the environment, as emphasized Emmanuel Perakis“An explosion” of relevant legislative changes in many countries – which I believe will continue. So, the Greek Animal Defenders is only the beginning.

For symbolic reasons, the platform comes to life today, world day of homeless animals.

“Lessons of Humanity”.

All four pioneers who they spoke with “K”coexist with animals. What do they acquire as people? “Honest and unconditional love and lessons in humanity,” Emmanuel Perakis replies without hesitation. “Basically, the possibility of mutual understanding and communication on a different level. The realization that animals also have social-emotional needs similar to ours – communication, love, acceptance or reward, ”says Antonios Karabatzos. “Animals taught me to serve the world, to observe without judging, and to enjoy the “walk,” adds Elena Dede. And for Konstantinos Tokatlidis, life with a four-legged gave many lessons: “dignity, kindness, devotion, sympathy. Better understanding of the life cycle, seeing things in larger dimensions, understanding that life is not only human. And, of course, lots of fun!”