By Everett Rosenfeld, TIME
Loukanikos hates Greece's austerity measures, corrupt politicians and the plight of the Greek everyman. And, as a dedicated protestor, he is willing to brave riot police and tear gas for his beliefs.
Either that, or Athens's most famous stray dog just likes the food and the attention afforded him by Greek demonstrators.
Whatever the cause for his loyalty, Loukanikos (which translates to "Sausage" in English) has barked and marched alongside the protesters since demonstrations in December 2008.
Almost three years later, the stray with a penchant for protests was seen in action again at the latest rounds protests in Athens last week.(PHOTOS: Canines in Combat)
Media reports over the past three years show that protesters – many of whom have camped out in Syntagma Square – have taken to petting and feeding the dog who they assumed is allied with their cause.
In fact, popular adoration has gone so far that Loukanikos boasts his own Twitter feed, Tumblr site, YouTube channel, Facebook page and blog.
In addition to dominating social media, Loukanikos is also a regular in the mainstream media. Nearly every Greek protest is followed by new photos and videos of the rebellious stray. Some of his appearances from 2008 to 2010 can be found here.
Watch a video of this canine over at TIME.
Louk sits in the street during a student demonstration in central Athens on December 10, 2009. Hundreds of students demonstrated in Athens to protest against a plan for policing at universities after a rector was injured in a violent protest over the weekend.
Tear gas floats around a protestor and Louk during an education demonstration on January 9, 2009. Some 3,000 students and teachers protesting against the Greek government clashed in Athens with police who fired tear gas and charged at demonstrators. The march was organised on the anniversary of the 1991 murder of Nikos Temponeras, a professor who was bludgeoned to death by a right-wing unionist.
A demonstrator rises his fist in front of riot policemen blocking the entrance to the finance ministry, in Athens on April 29, 2010. Greek police fired tear gas today at hundreds of demonstrators trying to approach the finance ministry in a protest against austerity cuts to tackle the country's debt crisis, police said. The protest was called by the left-wing Syriza party after union leaders said the government was about to adopt additional austerity measures to clinch a huge bailout from the European Union and International Monetary Fund.
Loukanikos on December 8, 2010. Athens was without public transport on this day as unions staged a 24-hour strike against a government restructuring plan to save money in the face of a deep financial crisis.
Protesters clash with riot police officers during a general strike against government austerity plans in Athens on June 15, 2011. Thousands of Greek protesters surrounded the parliament building as a general strike paralysed the country and the prime minister held emergency talks on a controversial reform package.
Protestors escape tear gas during massive clashes at the central Athens Syntagma square on June 15, 2011. Thousands of protesters ringed the Greek parliament building as the government tried to push through its emergency package inside and a general strike paralysed the country.
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Man's best friend!
I cannot believe they bring that poor dog with them. What is the point really?
That dog is a stray; one of many that Greece 'had' a problem with particulalry leading up to the 2004 Olympics! He has a collar b/c they caught and neutered/spayed and released then again.
did you read the article all the way through? I am thinking not...because if you did you would have answered your own question.
Is it... Under Dog!
How touching! I hope the dog will be well cared for!
We lived in Greece several years and strays don't have collars and this dog does. Someone is being duped
Not only does that dog have a collar, but if you look at the lase picture, the collar is red, in all the others its blue.
He's got a lot of friends. Maybe he gets new collars. I doubt he's much of a stray with all of these people who know and care for him. Seems he just has a lot of owners.
Easy answer for this:
1. He's a "stray" in the sense that no one owns him. He's become quite the community dog, in a way. Vets have been providing him shots, students buy him food, etc.
2. There are actually two riot dogs. The first died in 2008, and the second is actually one of his pups.
I've been keeping up with riot dog for the past year or two, really fascinating to me.
I was informed while in Greece that yes, strays have collars. They have collars to indicate they've been spayed, since there are so many strays the humane society needs to know which ones have been spayed and which ones haven't. There simply aren't enough homes for all of the strays so many still live on the streets. Blue is supposed to be for male, red female.
Actually in Greece the strays are typically spayed/neutered and then a small portion of the ear is cut off in the shape of a triangle. This indicates that the dog/cat does not need to be brought in again. It's a bit inhumane but it's an effective marker.
You can tell that in the last photo the dog is a male despite having a red collar. If you're right about females wearing red collars and males wearing blue ones, that seems strange to me.
its entirely possible with all the people around that someone has laid claim to him and put a collar on him. Just because he has one doesnt prove anything definitive. We must assume perhaps someone does own him or has decided to adopt him. I find it hard to believe a stray partaking in this with all this activity wouldn't come across someone willing to take care of him.
I thought it was already reported that there are in fact many dogs that look like this in Greece and the likely hood of the same dog being in all these pictures is slim to none.
It looks to me like it's the same dog, but it makes more sense if he's the pet of one of the protesters and this "stray riot dog" thing is a myth. I don't see how people could see this dog out there all the time and yet no one adopts him. But the collar and tags may be a measure taken by someone just to keep him from being rounded up and killed as an unvaccinated stray.
...and I'm not certain, but it looks like he may be neutered.
There are seriously A LOT of stray dogs in Greece, Athens in particular. They're everywhere. I was there eight or so months ago and was fairly stunned at how many are just chillin' all over the streets. They have a pretty bad problem regarding stray animals, cats as well. There aren't enough homes for all of the strays, it's that overwhelming of a problem. And naturally if your country is in a financial crisis, taking care of animals falls below taking care of people. I'm not saying that's the right thing to do necessarily, just how things play out. Gotta feed the people first.
CNN.. Please correct this article. The dog's name is not Loukanikos. His name is Kanelos (which means cinnamon color). All of Greece calls him Kanelos. You can't change his name and invent your own. Please check your facts before printing mistakes.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2010/may/06/greece-protest?picture=362290874
Actually, Kallenos died in july of 2008 and is buried in the university, check youtube there is a tribute song to him posted after his death. Louk took over and some say that he is Kallenos' offspring. Also there are SEVERAL protest dogs that come out to the marches but Louk is the most well known at the moment. Unlike CNN, I do my research when I find something interesting.
Thank you! Getting the "real" news is refreshing. The video posted down a bit makes the point that Louk, Kane – that Riot Dog is getting more to be an icon in support of the frustration of the people – a voiceless voice with a tail – an image that people can relate to and comment on.
To cute. He just enjoys being in the big middle of things with all his buddies..... I'm sure all the students and protestors participate in caring for him. He's now an icon or a mascot, and I'm sure they all love him.
This dog is amazing! And if its more than one dog they are all amazing! Sick 'em!
Why isn't the dog wearing a mask to protect his identity too?
Beacause no one can sue him.
Three years gone by, and no one has taken that dog in and given him a safe home, vaccinations, regular *dog* food, a family? What's wrong with the Greeks?
He probably belongs to one of the regular protesters. Dogs are very loyal and are pack animals. They are also trainable. Just as a police dog is trained to behave a certain way with certain people when given commands or signals, this dog has been trained or acclimated to acting a certain way during riots/clashes. He appears not to be starving, which is good.
Fiona, dear, the dog belongs to one of the protestors, all those other things are provided.by his nice people, woof1
Most likely explanation is that it's the photographer's dog.
Yeah, 'cuz there's probably only one photographer shooting the Greek riots.
You would be surprised. There are about 3 photographers on getty that have covered all the riots in greece. There aren't thousands of photographers that cover different events all over the place. You should stay with the helpful sarcasm style; It does wonders for your image.
Awesome! Riot Dog Rules!
I was in Greece last summer and saw a lot of stray cats and dogs. Some were really in bad shape but this dog seems to be in good shape and has a tag. I hope the protesters take care of him and make sure that he doesn't get hurt or killed. I hope that the Greek citizens, inspite of their problems, take care of their animal friends.
I turned down the sound, and listened to this video to ZZ Tops "LaGrange". Works just as good as the original soundtrack.
ZZ Top song "La Grange" was about a cat house in the East Texas area. Looks like Greece has has gone to the dogs, doggie style no less.
Fanfknnnnnnnntastic !!!
Actually 'the Greeks' have a wonderful system of caring for strays. They are fed daily in certain areas and parks.
Also, routinely, "treated" for any illness, etc.....
The "strays" all seem to be lovely dogs that are well cared for. Plus they are so friendly. One especially stole my
heart and I regret not going bringing him home w/me.
When I was in Greece about three years ago, we one day went to what's left of the Temple of Zeus. Right after we entered a dog started following us and continued following us around the temple. When we finished touring it the dog accompanied us to the door. I told my partner that he was going to go outside and continue following us the whole day, but no. He stopped at the gate, and then looked at us as saying, "well that's all there's to see here, hope you enjoyed the tour" and walked away. I guess that Greek dogs are quite special LOL.
A few years ago I walked across the Peloponnese. One morning a stray appeared and went on to walk with me for 3 days. We ate, slept,rested together. Iwas alone and he gave me a great sense of security. He walked ahead at times guiding me through overgrown mountain footpaths, my constant companion. Then one morning he just disappeared. I I asked the villagers if they had seen the dog as I wanted to adopt him. They told me than the particular dog often did this, guiding hikers through the mountains but one he reached the particular he just turned back, and waited for the next hiker. What can I say. Man's best friend. Athens is full of strays. They are relatively well cared for. Kanellos
A few years ago I walked across the Peloponnese. One morning a stray appeared and went on to walk with me for 3 days. We ate, slept,rested together. Iwas alone and he gave me a great sense of security. He walked ahead at times guiding me through overgrown mountain footpaths, my constant companion. Then one morning he just disappeared. I I asked the villagers if they had seen the dog as I wanted to adopt him. They told me than the particular dog often did this, guiding hikers through the mountains but one he reached the particular village he just turned back, and waited for the next hiker. What can I say. Man's best friend. Athens is full of strays. They are relatively well cared for. Kanellos is known to all of us. He loves the excitement! In peaceful moments he is fed and watered both by the riot police and by the protesters. Rest Assured, he is a apolitical. Fate has cast him in a dangerous role. He could have joined the other strays in safer roles guarding restaurants and hotel lobbies but Kanellos chose the braver path. Amor vincit
A few years ago I walked across the Peloponnese. One morning a stray appeared and went on to walk with me for 3 days. We ate, slept,rested together. Iwas alone and he gave me a great sense of security. He walked ahead at times guiding me through overgrown mountain footpaths, my constant companion. Then one morning he just disappeared. I I asked the villagers if they had seen the dog as I wanted to adopt him. They told me than the particular dog often did this, guiding hikers through the mountains but one he reached the particular village he just turned back, and waited for the next hiker. What can I say. Man's best friend. Athens is full of strays. They are relatively well cared for. Kanellos is known to all of us. He loves the excitement! In peaceful moments he is fed and watered both by the riot police and by the protesters. Rest Assured, he is a apolitical. Fate has cast him in a dangerous role. He could have joined the other strays in safer roles guarding restaurants and hotel lobbies but Kanellos chose the braver path. Amor vincit omnia!
that dog kicks azz!
That is the coolest dog ever.
Too bad this dog is on his on when sh!t goes down. Savages.
I like dogs. I also like dog food. When you elect me president I will make sure all the poor people have enough dog food to eat. I will invite all my rich republican friends to the white house to eat steaks and then we will poop on the poor people.
hahahaha get em sarah
Is a bit of a cheer giver to see him there, and yes from a dog owner(me) who takes care of my dogs, he looks well fed, and in resonably good shape, so go to it buddy, could be a stray, or one of the protestors dogs-someone who has been active along time possibly , or he just thinks its a really fun game-who knows. Kinda gotta root for him though!
Awesome dog and hope he stay's around for long time
I swear, firebombing and rioting because they are upset about their benefits being taken away...Your government can't run and you are letting your country be taken by anarchy rather than having Civil conversation. If I was the EU I would just cut my losses and let them deal with their trash but I'm not, and I can't so I guess we will wait until it affects the US. I do hope those tear gas canisters were made in the USA.
Athens has a tradition of taking care of stray dogs. There are hundreds of them. We saw them in the ship terminal, sleeping around town, at the various historic sites, generally everywhere. They "belong" to the public and are cared for by the residents of Athens and rounded up once a year for medical treatment. All the dogs we encountered were well mannered. I thought this system of "public dogs" was really nice.
Everyone should just turn their backs and let the country go bankrupt , lets see how much these idiots protest when they're starving to death because they are all too selfish to do what is right for their country . Unions are destroying the world economy .
Have to love statements like this. Sure, end all unions and the world economies will be in great shape. Sure! If you don't think that companies all being forced to make bigger and bigger profits, no matter what the cost is to workers, the environment, natural resources, etc. is at least equally as big a problem as unions, then you must be watching only Fox News. Myopic view, to say the least!
Response to those who think the world is not round and they have no part to come in the starvation realms – here or coming to a place near you soon: see 'The Crash Course' by Chris Martinson on ChrisMartinson.com...an economic course that will open your eyes, as it has mine. Good luck.
DOGS RULE! We should treat them better and give them the respect they deserve, no matter what part of the country.
Most humans will never be as loyal as a dog is.
I've been to Greece and what I saw is nothing like ElaineD's experience. The country has a horrible record when it comes to caring for animals. There are hundreds of stray dogs and cats wherever you go, especially on the islands. Many are starving and injured. It ruined my vacation and I would never go back unless they change their attitude toward animals (like having them spayed & neutered), which isn't likely to happen with their failing economy.
I would have expected them to have a goat, but that dog is pretty cool. I hope none of the riot police try and hurt him.
Who wants to play with my Loukanikos?
Now starring in "My Big Fat Greek Riot".
Since 15,000 BC. men domesticated dogs. Since then, dogs become our oldest friends, pets, tools, and even food in some cultures. Dogs have relatively short lives life span of 10-13 years depends on breed. So, when your path comes across that of this four-legged's short-live path, do treasure them because they can be with you for only that short time.
What a soul! He is fantastic!
What kind of dog is this? A Greek Entitlement Hound?
That dog is having a BLAST!! (no pun intended) He's got lots of little boys to romp with all day, lots of action and always something to get into. He is totally in touch with his inner canine.
Is December 2008 to June 2011 "almost" three years? It seems 2 years and 11 months, or 2 years and 10 months is "almost three years". 2 years and six months is "two and a half years".
Most of protests are Staged and very well Orchestrated, they pretend fighting but do not hurt each other. This is worth it to get hundreds of billions from EU. Greeks are very smart; the deception started with the Trojan Horse and is going on with very well orchestrated “PROTESTS”. If you want Greece to be paid off, for the Enormous Army, Universal Free Health Care, Lucrative Pensions, and Taxes that they never Pay, then you pay them by yourself, PAY THEM OFF, BY YOUR OWN POCKET.
DON’T LET GREECE TO DFRAG YOU DOWN. CUT THE ROPE AND LET THEM GO FIRST…
You're expessing this view because you've participated in these demonstrations or you're just judging, being thousand klm away?
Please do not hurt this dog....please do not use this dog as a human shield...please do not exploit this dog. That would really hurt me a lot. He is proving to be "Mans best friend" and humans need to realize that and protect their friend. I am amazed by this canines devotion to his mankind. Protect this dog with all the resources you can. I will keep track and be highly judgemental if any harm is brought to this animal, as many others will be. Peace and god be with you and your "best friend", the dog. This is a beautiful and truly devotional story. Take care of this dog, or so help you......
Dog must be stray, nobody in Greece would consider buying a tag to support taxes that provide government shelters to take care of stray animals ...Citizens of Greece will do anything to avoid paying taxes on goods and services and even their homes. That is why you see rebar or wood posts sticking out the top, so they aren't assessed completed house value. They should realize they are protesting their own doing but then...
y = f(x)
This dog likes to play a lot like my dog, only difference is that eventually my dog isn't going to get shot in the head. Someone needs to take the dog home and get him some furry toys and a yard.
This was on BBC a week ago, this shows how wise it is to follow news on CNN.
Very cute dog, good show by Greeks to get sympathy, along with the couple making love on the streets (that one might have gotten censored by the conservative American media).
THAT IS AN AWESOME DOG!!!!
The dog is a stray, he goes where he wants. I don't see a leash in any of the pictures. I had a dog who LOVED fire works. He would have his nose down close so he could watch the fuse being lit. He would back up far enough so he could watch the rockets trajectory. He learned that everyone around him was excited and he just joined in. It's the pack, the hunt. If he continues to brave tear gas after even one exposure he knows who's his pack and it is not the men in blue.
Dogs have an average life span of 10-12 years depending on breed. So take care of your four-legged friends as they would be gone in no time.
It's... INDIGENT DOG!
I have seen this dog in Athens Greece. Every morning he is in the middle of the street with a policeman directing traffic. If a motorcycle get to close to the Policeman, the dog will chase the motorcycle for about 30 feet while barking at it.
I was staying in Athens at a hotel across the street from the Constitution Square and the Doorman told me that the dog doesn’t belong to anyone. He comes every morning to help direct traffic and then hangs around the hotel and goes off somewhere until the afternoon and comes back and hangs around the steps of the hotel to greet people walking by.
I have been to Athens at least 5 times for the last 7 years and every time he has been there.
Wouldn't it be ironic if the dog suddenly attacked a protestor? Just sayin.....
The country of Greece is soon to become a stray of Europe.
If Greece defaults, according to the experts that I’ve read, Ireland, Portugal and Spain are very likely to default as well. If they default, those same experts claim that the euro will tank, which would cause the nations of the European Union to default too. If all of that happens, it’s easy to see a number of Asian economies defaulting. And if all of them default, the rest would as well, with the possible exception of the U.S. In that case it would become, “The U.S. v. The Rest of the World”, in an economic war, the former of which, if it doesn’t default, would, “win”, and if it does default, it would then become a military war that also favors the former. Of course other nations should be able to anticipate this scenario and, rather than waiting for the inevitable outcome of the economic war, would have no choice but to leap straight into a military war at some point pretty darn soon, which would demand that all or most of the countries that still have a military would have to group together to take-on the U.S. Meanwhile two out of the three American members representing the GOP have walked away from negotiations to keep the First American, “Republic”, funded, which actually the Treasury has been “handling” since that clock ran-out on the 16th, leaving 3 Democrats and 1 Republican to duke it out. The demand of the two that withdrew was that adding/increasing taxes on the very rich and big business must be taken off the table of negotiations, leaving only the continuing state policy to keep sticking-it-to-the-people by attacking public jobs and services due to the budget shortfalls caused, “ironically” enough, by the financial sectors of big business upon the orders of the very rich who obviously would rather World War III happen than pay one red cent to help with a financial crisis that was their fault in the first place. Cool.
If he's a stray, why is he wearing collars and tags??
Shall be filed under "don't care, doesn't matter."
the dog is the only one of those commie scumbags that doesn't deserve to be shot
Nice PhotoShop job! I saw this same dog eating dinner with the Pope last week.
ZITO TO SKILAKI!!
Greek worker? Isn't that a bit of an oxymoron?
similar
http://www.rightsofman.org/thomas-paine/content/7-rights-of-man-greek-version
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I am Greek living in USA, went back during summer, I was in the riots, I saw Loukanikos. Students and rioters look after him.He is spayed fed , has all his shots and medications for flees and worms. He is a very sweet dog but tough .
Not only Greeks but tourists also like him.
I can say that minkyu is so cool. Thanks for the helpful post.
Having read this I believed it was really informative. I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this article together. I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth it!