Case of dog run over in Avliotes heads to court

The case concerning the death of a dog in Avliotes has gone to court. The dog was run over by a car in the early hours of Saturday, August 22. The 44-year-old driver was identified and arrested by officers from the North Corfu Police Department, taken before the prosecutor, and subsequently released on the prosecutor’s orders.

The incident was captured on a security camera. The footage shows the dog lying on the road as the car approaches, drives over the animal and then stops briefly before driving away. The dog, which was seriously injured, died shortly afterwards.

The North Corfu Police Department filed a case against the 44-year-old wpman for violating legislation on the protection and welfare of animals, and the case file was forwarded to the competent prosecutorial authority. According to information reported by ERT, the police initially appear to have assessed the incident as the negligent killing of an animal.

The existence of a case file does not mean that specific criminal charges have already been brought for the intentional killing of an animal. It is also not yet known when the prosecutor’s review of the case file will be completed, or whether and when a trial date will be set. Ultimately, it is for the courts to determine how the case will be dealt with criminally.

The woman denies acting deliberately. According to reports by SKAI TV, she said, “I never wanted to run over the animal,” while other reports state that she claimed she did not see it.

The driver was also issued an administrative fine of €500. The fine relates to a breach of the obligations set out in Law 4830/2021 in the event of a road accident involving an animal. Drivers are required to immediately notify the relevant municipality or the police so that veterinary care can be provided to the injured animal.

A key factor in determining how the case develops will be whether the video footage and other evidence in the case file establish intent. If the judicial authorities determine that the driver saw the dog and deliberately drove over it, the much stricter provisions concerning the intentional killing of an animal could come into play. These provide for a prison sentence of up to 10 years, a fine and substantial administrative penalties.

The 44-year-old therefore remains free, but the case is not closed. The case file is now before the courts and, for the time being, there is no announced timetable for the completion of the prosecutor’s review.

GIORGOS KATSAITIS