Animal cruelty in Gastouni: 'I was scared and left,' says 60-year-old who hit stray dog with car

Shock and anger have gripped Gastouni, Greece, following a brutal animal cruelty incident where a 60-year-old woman ran over and killed a stray dog with her car. The event, which took place on Thursday, June 18, was recorded by security cameras, sparking widespread public outcry and prompting an official complaint.

The woman, a resident of Gastouni, was identified by police after the video's release and the subsequent complaint filed at the Pineios Police Department. Initially, she denied any involvement and maintained a defiant stance towards the officers. However, faced with additional evidence, including footage from other cameras and witness testimonies, the 60-year-old reportedly confessed.

During questioning, authorities presented further evidence, compelling the woman to admit she had struck the animal. She claimed she had stopped her car to avoid hitting the dog, waited, and then believed it had moved. "When I realized I had hit it, I was scared and left," she stated. Reports indicate two other individuals, a man and a child, were in the vehicle with her at the time.

The 60-year-old woman is expected to be charged with intentional killing of an animal, a felony under Greek law (4830/2021) that carries penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of 30,000 to 50,000 euros. The stray dog, a familiar and cared-for presence in the Gastouni neighborhood for over two decades, was a beloved figure among local residents.