Three PETA Germany activists were attacked during a protest over the treatment of donkeys and mules on Santorini, Greece.
The confrontation occurred on Friday, September 4, on the Karavolades steps, the steep route linking Fira with Santorini’s old port. The women were campaigning against the use of equines to carry tourists along the route.
Video footage described in the report appears to show a donkey handler approach one of the activists, raise his hand toward her and push her against a wall. The woman then falls onto the paved steps. The available material does not identify the man or provide details about possible arrests, injuries or charges.
Municipality condemns violence
In a statement issued on Saturday, September 5, the Municipality of Thera said it was following the case closely and waiting for the competent authorities to complete their investigation.
“We unequivocally condemn every form of violence, regardless of where it comes from or against whom it is directed.”
The local government’s response places two public responsibilities at the center of the case: protecting people engaged in peaceful advocacy and enforcing standards for animals used in the island’s tourism economy. Investigative authorities will determine what happened during the confrontation, while the municipality said it would act where necessary and within its legal powers.
Thera’s municipal administration also pointed to work undertaken in recent years to improve safeguards for working equines. It cited interventions, coordination with relevant organizations and implementation of the existing legal framework, although the supplied account did not specify individual measures or provide evidence about their effect.
“The protection of animals and respect for people are not competing concepts. They are self-evident values of society.”
The municipality said it would continue monitoring developments. Its statement did not announce a new policy, enforcement action or timetable for reviewing donkey and mule rides.
PETA campaign challenges tourist transport practice
PETA said the three women had been conducting a peaceful action to draw attention to conditions faced by donkeys and mules working on the steps. The organization has campaigned for an end to using the animals to transport visitors between the old port and Fira.The dispute touches a visible part of Santorini’s tourism sector and raises questions about how local authorities balance animal welfare, visitor transport and livelihoods connected to the rides.
The role of donkeys and mules in Santorini is an integral part of the island’s history, however, there are wider concerns as there have been donkey and wider animal-abuse allegations on the island since decades ago.
PETA’s position calls for the tourist transport practice to end. The municipality, by contrast, emphasized welfare improvements and enforcement of the current legal framework rather than announcing a ban. The supplied report did not include comments from donkey or mule owners, tourism businesses, police, or the person shown in the footage.
Investigation will shape next steps
The immediate institutional question is whether investigators establish grounds for criminal proceedings arising from the alleged assault. Separately, the incident may increase pressure on the municipality to explain how animal-welfare rules are enforced on the Karavolades route and whether existing protections are sufficient. For now, the local authority has committed to monitoring the case and intervening within its jurisdiction.
@protothema.gr ‼️ Τρεις ακτιβίστριες της διεθνούς φιλοζωικής οργάνωσης PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) δέχθηκαν επίθεση από αγωγιάτες στη Σαντορίνη, την ώρα που προετοίμαζαν δράση διαμαρτυρίας για τη χρήση γαϊδουριών και μουλαριών στη μεταφορά τουριστών. #protothema #news #greektiktok #tiktokgreece
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
