The 55-year-old man, who was arrested on Saturday night for allegedly abandoning nine kittens on a plot of land in the area of Kalamaria, in Thessaloniki, was released pending a preliminary investigation.
As part of the urgent investigation ordered by the criminal prosecutor, the exact circumstances of the case will be investigated and critical evidence for the criminal treatment of the 55-year-old will be evaluated.
According to reports, a key issue for the classification of the attributed acts as misdemeanor or felony is the age of the animals at the time of the abandonment. In particular, it will be considered whether the kittens were newborn or had reached weaning age, an element that may materially affect the criminal assessment of the case.
According to the same information, a representative of the Association for the Protection and Care of Stray Animals of Eastern Thessaloniki (SYPPAZATH) will be called to testify in order to assist in establishing the age and condition of the animals.
The police announced that nine administrative fines of 30,000 euros each for animal abuse and a fine of 300 euros for not placing an electronic tag were confirmed against the 55-year-old. In total, the fines amount to 270,300 euros.
