The case of the unfortunate death of a husky named “Oliver” in Arachova, a town located northwest of Athens, which had dominated media headlines and grabbed the attention of public opinion for the past month, appears to be winding down, as forensic evidence suggests the animal was not killed by human as was initially believed.
According to a comprehensive report by Professor Nikos Papaioannou at the Veterinary School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, who was appointed as an expert in the context of the investigations by Greek police and the judicial authorities, there was no human involvement in the death of the dog.
The detailed conclusion of the professor and former rector of AUTh aligns with that of other public veterinarians who examined the cause of the dog’s death. The investigation by local police and the team from the Homicide Department of the Attica Security, through the examination of witnesses and the analysis of camera footage, also seems to concur with the conclusion that the unfortunate animal was attacked by a pack of dogs and there was no presence or involvement of any suspect individual in the fatal injury to the unfortunate animal.
The news of the death of “Oliver” had caused an uproar in public opinion in Greece as initial reports came to light claiming the dog was sexually assaulted and brutally tortured before dying.
The case sparked a wide public discourse on animal rights and abuse in Greece, including the connections between animal abuse and the abuse of humans and minors, as well as persistent systemic gaps related to the protection of animals.
Greek police have discarded claims that there was human involvement in the death of the husky after a local suggested the perpetrator was a town shopkeeper.
