Kathimerini Greece Newsroom
A man who posted a video of himself luring a kitten with fish at a beachside tavern in Edipsos on the island of Evia only to kick it into the sea was arrested on Monday on charges of violating laws against animal cruelty.
The news was announced in a tweet by Civil Protection Minister Takis Theodorikakos, saying “a while ago, the Hellenic Police arrested a person who kicked and threw a kitten into the sea.”
“Violence against animals is unacceptable. The government has passed a strict law to protect animals from abuse which is now in force, but in any case, this is a matter of humanity and culture,” he said, adding that the matter now is in the hands of Greek justice.
The video, which was posted by an animal activist, went viral yesterday and garnered harsh comments against the perpetrator.
Before his arrest, the 30-year-old posted a video admitting he made a mistake but denied the kitten was harmed in any way.
Animal torture in Greece is a felony and carries a fine of up to 50,000 euros and a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
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