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Loukanikos

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Not to be confused with Loukaniko, the Greek sausage.
Loukanikos during protests in Athens, 2009

Loukanikos (Greek: Λουκάνικος: "the sausage loukaniko"), initially named "Theodor", was a Greek riot dog that participated in almost every anti-austerity protest in Greece. He was commonly known for joining protests, barking at police, helping in street battles with the Greek police as well as participating in anarchist rallies and picket lines. Loukanikos had a reputation of being fearless, usually being in front of the protests and having tear gas thrown at him multiple times. He was active throughout all Greek protests and often leading the protesters towards the police. Initially a stray, he moved from building to building, but was said to have preferred to be on the streets. He was groomed and cared for by multiple left-wing organizations.

Biography

BBC's Newsnight created a video montage of the dog in action during protests in Greece, including barking at police in riot gear and running with other protesters away from tear gas.[1] He was nominated for person of the year in 2011 by Time magazine.[2]

In September 2011, on the occasion of a striking policemen's union marching in the centre of Athens,[3] he was "initially confused" between two opposite sides, both of uniformed policemen, but when the riot police contingent attacked their striking colleagues, the dog sided with those who were being attacked.

Loukanikos died in 2014 at the age of ten. This was due to health problems because of ingestion of tear gas, which he sustained due to constant protests. A memorial and large burial was held shortly after.[4] Loukanikos was the subject of a large amount of monuments and murals in his honor.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13802940
  2. ^ "Loukanikos Made it in TIME's "Person of the Year 2011"". 14 December 2011.
  3. ^ "Police protest low salaries", Kathimerini, 27 September 2011
  4. ^ "Famous Greek riot dog Loukanikos dies". BBC News. October 10, 2014.
  5. ^ "Loukanikos' Graffiti Athens – Tribute to revolutionary dog". Spotted by Locals Athens. April 15, 2020.
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Video footage

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