Source:  News Release

Tourist taxi fines bring hope for Santorini donkeys

International animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary is today celebrating as a new system of fines brings hope of improved conditions for donkeys and mules working as tourist taxis on the Greek island of Santorini.

Andrew Judge, The Donkey Sanctuary’s Head of European Operations, explains:

“The new system of fines symbolises a real breakthrough in the recognition of animal welfare on the island.  After years of campaigning, and working closely with SAWA (Santorini Animal Welfare Association) and the local authorities, we recently established a code of practice in the Municipality of Fira, setting out acceptable standards of animal welfare and ensuring that only animals fit enough to work are allowed to do so.  It also sets out limits on the number of donkeys and mules an operator can hire out as tourist taxis on any one day.  In September we were delighted to see this code of practice enforced by fines for those who were found not to comply with this legislation which protects the welfare of these hardworking animals.

“There are around 2,000 donkeys and mules on the island of Santorini, and it is estimated that around 360 of these work as tourist taxis, transporting visitors up the 590 steep steps between the port and the old town.  Each donkey and mule is likely to do this exhausting return journey seven or eight times a day, providing holiday rides for the hundreds of tourists who arrive on the island by cruise ship every day.  We are hopeful that the new system of fines will lessen the mistreatment or overworking of these donkeys and mules.”

Christina Kaloudi of the Santorini Animal Welfare Association said;

“For the first time ever, €200 fines were issued in September 2011 to ten donkey taxi owners who breached the law by bringing more than seven animals to work. The Vice Mayor of Santorini announced at a recent meeting with the taxi owners that things are not going to be the same anymore and that the fines will not be cancelled. If the owners do not pay the fines they will receive the fines through the tax office.”

Since this meeting, SAWA have observed an improvement in both the number of donkey and mule taxis that each owner brings to work and the loading system that is being used.  This seems to indicate that the new fines are already acting as an incentive for donkey and mule owners to improve conditions for their animals.

The Donkey Sanctuary is urging visitors to the island to keep a close eye on the condition of donkeys and mules, and only ride a tourist taxi once they have considered the following:

·        Water, Food, Rest – is it obvious the animals have these?

·       Weight – are you too heavy (suggested comfortable weight guidelines are 50kilos for a donkey, 80kilos for a mule)?

·       Tack – is it in good condition?

Visitors are being asked to send information – along with photographs and video, if possible – if they have any concerns about the condition of donkey or mules on the island.

The Donkey Sanctuary has been working on the island since 2006, when the charity’s late founder, Dr Elisabeth Svendsen, began campaigning for better conditions for donkeys and mules working as tourist taxis, and for the establishment of a cable car as an alternative means of transport.

To find out more about the work of The Donkey Sanctuary in Europe and to get in touch about the condition of donkeys and mules in Santorini, please visit  www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/europe.