Greece's "Riot Dog" Sides With Protesters
06/30/2011
He must really hate Greece's austerity measures. Allegedly present at nearly every riot, braving police with teargas, he is an unlikely hero (of whoever is protesting).
He is a dog.
Photographers for news agencies started noticing this yellow dog appearing in their photos from the riots starting in 2008 and every riot since and realized that it has been the same dog, Loukanikos, every time.
As Greece is struggling with cuts in public spending, Loukanikos and his pack of working class humans have been rebelling on a continual basis.
Loukanikos (which is the Greek words for “sausage”) also called “riot dog” or “rebel dog,” is a stray mutt who lives in Athens. He exclusively sides with the protesters, maybe because they pet him and feed him loukanikoses, or maybe because he feels sympathetic to the plight of the working class. Or he just really hates the police.
All we know is that he, without fail, barks up the same tree, never turning his back to the rioters.
Last week he was in attendance again at the latest rounds of protests. See him in action in this video.
See More Political Pups! Check out the Top 10 Presidential Dogs.
Photos: ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/Getty Images | ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images |
Comments
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He doesn't look stray to me. He's wearing either a red or blue collar in the photos.
Posted by: Robin | 07/01/2011 at 09:07 AM
what a brave dog & that why's i love dogs so much.
Posted by: misty & monet mommy | 07/01/2011 at 09:36 AM
There is now a facebook page dedicated to Loukanikos. Although some people say that this might just be Photoshopped I would like to think not :) He is a handsome pup indeed!
Posted by: Jenny | 07/01/2011 at 09:37 AM
QUE SUCEDIÓ CON EL VIDEO????. WHAT´S HAPPENED WITH THE VIDEO
Posted by: SERGIO NAVARRO | 07/01/2011 at 09:41 AM
He has a collar and looks a little too well fed to be a stray. He must belong to a regular protestor.
Posted by: Chris | 07/01/2011 at 09:43 AM
@Robin- In Greece, they have a sort of animal control that keeps track of strays- gives them meds, etc.
Posted by: Charli | 07/01/2011 at 09:45 AM
Why is he wearing a collar with what looks like tags if he is a stray mutt? I think a little more research on this dog is needed. While he is siding with the rioters, it could be the excitement that is drawing him and if the rioters are feeding him and petting him naturally, he would stay loyal to them.
Posted by: claudia | 07/01/2011 at 11:07 AM
Lo and behold, the rebel with four paws!
Viva La Revolucion!
Posted by: A.F. for Animal Planet | 07/01/2011 at 11:49 AM
He is definately there with someone...
Posted by: Rick Burgess | 07/01/2011 at 03:31 PM
In Athènes, all the stray dogs wear a collar in which is written : property of Athens ;)
Posted by: Adde | 07/01/2011 at 03:40 PM
He is definitely a stray dog! He can be seen wandering in Athens everyday. He wears a collar because animal control takes care of him, he dosn't have a boss! How could he?
Posted by: Anna | 07/02/2011 at 01:42 AM
Loukanikos, or Luke, is actually a stray. He lives in the streets of Syntagma, although an old man who takes care of stray animals keeps him fed and free of ticks and flees. Nevertheless he still is a stray dogs and in danger from cars, poison and ill-meaning people.
Posted by: Maria | 07/02/2011 at 03:03 AM
If you really look.He is around the same man in 75% if the photos.
Posted by: michelle anelli | 07/02/2011 at 10:52 AM
I'm just happy to know that someone is caring for him. He looks to be a pretty civil protester, doesn't he. Good job Loukanikos!
Posted by: www.yourolddog.com | 07/06/2011 at 02:16 AM
He is definitely there with someone...
Thanks for sharing..
Posted by: Dog Sitting Los Angeles | 07/10/2011 at 07:23 AM
Loved this art installation video. Too bad ti's only aplicable in first world countries,figuras de ação, I'd like to this work out in any South American city. I did however find it hilarious all the people who took more than one bill,Фигурок, slowly and discreetly. Wonder if the camera was visible in order to intimidate the public into the desired interaction. where I live theres this backwards tradition of eating raw beef sandwhiches,Figura de acción NECA, I just tried it yesterday for the first and last time (being vegan is pointless/pretentious) with my aunt and her bf. they are by no means alt,фигурки, but hefty, and they spoke in scathing double speak about me while I tried to nap out the second half of the football game (via not caring much about competetive sporting) as if I was dissing them for not wanting to watch the game,Neca Action Figure, after already subjecting myself to the most digestive pain evr. Tradition!
Posted by: Neca Action Figure | 07/12/2011 at 02:15 AM
ma le scarpe non ti donano. meglio dei sandali con stringe più sottili e cavi
Posted by: canada goose jackets | 08/04/2011 at 03:19 AM
Someone should really shoot those protesters.
Posted by: Ugly American | 08/15/2011 at 11:16 PM
What happend when the pictures are taken?
Posted by: ice cube machine | 09/15/2011 at 03:45 AM
i think that he was not by himself...
is impossible.
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Posted by: 157 | 10/18/2011 at 06:09 AM
Good stuff as per usual, thanks. I do hope this kind of thing gets more exposure.
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