Footage shows a man holding a stick confronting the group before striking the activist and pushing her into a wall
| Updated: 44m ago
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A PETA Germany supporter is attacked by a donkey handler
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A female animal rights activist was punched in the face during a protest over the use of donkeys to carry tourists on the Greek island of Santorini.
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The woman was among a group of PETA Germany campaigners demonstrating on the Karavolades steps, where donkeys and mules carry holidaymakers between the port and Fira.
Footage circulating online shows a man holding a stick confronting the group before striking the activist and pushing her into a wall.
She can then be heard screaming as she falls onto the stone steps.
Other protesters shouted: “Don’t touch her,” while bystanders rushed to help.
Read more: Thieves steal Renoir paintings worth nearly £8m from museum in south of France
Picture:
PETA Germany
PETA Germany alleged donkey handlers destroyed protest signs, prevented activists from filming and physically forced the women down the steps.
The group said it would file criminal complaints against those involved.
The campaigners were protesting against the use of donkeys as “tourist taxis”, saying the animals are made to carry visitors up around 500 steps in intense heat.
The animal rights group pointed to a pilot project in China, which has used exoskeleton technology to replace animals in the tourism industry.
Travellers were able to rent exoskeletons for a fee to assist with climbing Mount Tai, which has more than 7,000 steps.
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Three PETA Germany supporters get threatened by donkey handlers on the Karavolades Stairway
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PETA Germany has offered financial support to the mayor and the president of the Firá Port Authority to support the purchase of such exoskeletons if the donkey rides are discontinued.
Santorini’s donkey rides have faced long-running criticism over reports of exhaustion, saddle sores and spinal injuries.
A cable car has reduced demand, but rides remain popular when cruise ships bring thousands of visitors to the island.
