New law revokes gun rights for animal abusers

The Justice Ministry has introduced stricter gun regulations, banning firearm licenses for anyone prosecuted or convicted under Greece’s 2021 animal welfare law. Officials confirmed that existing licenses held by offenders will also be revoked.

“We disarm the dangerous,” stated Nikos Chrysakis, Special Secretary for the Protection of Companion Animals. He emphasized that animal abuse is often linked to domestic violence, noting: “The person who hits an animal often hits his wife, his child, or the elderly.”

Drawing on his experience as a former deputy police director in Crete, Chrysakis described animal cruelty as a widespread problem and stressed the state’s duty to protect defenseless creatures.

The law change comes amid growing evidence connecting animal abuse with broader patterns of violence. Authorities cited the 2021 Glyka Nera murder case, in which Caroline Crouch’s husband also killed the family dog, as a stark example.

“This regulation strengthens our arsenal,” Chrysakis said. “The state cannot allow a culture of violence to dominate.”