Greek plan for mandatory neutering to tackle strays hits opposition

Proposed compulsory sterilisation seeks to improve animal welfare but raises concerns about pure breeds

Greece's perennial problem of stray cats and dogs has been brought into sharp focus by outrage from vets and breeders over proposed legislation that seeks to make animal neutering mandatory.

The country has one of the largest stray feline and canine populations in the world, with the problem becoming ever more acute during the country's prolonged debt crisis. Animal rights activists estimate that Athens alone may have as many as 2 million street cats and dogs. Management of strays falls to local municipalities.