Loukanikos the Riot Dog
The story of a lovely street dog, who became Greece’s favorite “boi”
The economic crisis of 2008 hit Greece hard. With the implementation of new economic measures to save the country’s economy, a lot of pressure was put on the shoulders of the common people, a heavy burden that they could not bear. As a result, thousands began to protest in the streets. Especially in Athens, where the seat of the government is located, the protests evolved into large riots. Every day the news was filled with images of the police brutally suppressing the rioters, who became known as “οι Αγανακτισμένοι” (“the Indignants”).
In these chaotic years, of violence, injustice, and great economic recession emerged a glimmer of hope. One day amongst the protesters appeared — almost out of thin air — a dog who seemed to fight together with them! Whenever there was a riot, he was there, barking at the police, running alongside the rioters, ignoring the numerous tear gasses and the kicks that policemen threw at him. Soon he became a TV star and his cute face was in every news broadcast! He became known as a “four-legged Che Guevara”, a hero who could sniff injustice and could not tolerate it.
This was Loukanikos, the famous “Riot Dog” of Athens!
Loukanikos was born and raised in the streets of Exarcheia, a neighborhood right in the heart of Athens. Just like many street dogs, no one knew when exactly he was born or how old he was. For most people, he was just another filthy street puppy, without a home.
But Loukanikos had a home and in fact, he was lucky to call a whole neighborhood his home! Before becoming the artistic, bohemian neighborhood of today, Exarcheia was known as an “anarchist paradise”, where everyone could find his place in the world. Every tramp, hobo, and vagabond was attracted here, like bees to a flower. There was always a helping hand to offer them food, a place to stay, or a job. It was the perfect place for a street dog, whom no one ever loved or wanted.
He soon became the loving puppy of the nearby cafeterias and restaurants. Their owners used to feed him a lot of sausages, which became his favorite food, and thus, his name, “Loukanikos” (“Sausage”), was born.
When Loukanikos began his great crusades against the police, he immediately became the official mascot of the protesters and a favorite subject of the media. Whenever there was trouble, he emerged from clouds of tear gas, running, barking, and protecting his “friends” — the majority of whom had their base of operations in Exarcheia.
Soon his fame spread throughout the world. Foreign reporters traveled to Greece in order to meet him. He became a bar in Spain and was adored in Colombia. His name was spoken all over Europe. With a little help from his friends, he opened his own Facebook page and became a song, written by David Rovics and animated by Bjørn-Magne Stuestøl.
He was Greece’s most famous dog and everyone’s favorite “good boi”!
Unfortunately, even good bois need to retire at some point in their lives… As the years passed, his health deteriorated. This was a result of the numerous kicks and club hits he had taken all over the years. Moreover, the tear gases injured his lungs, causing him severe breathing problems.
On May 2014 Loukanikos left this world to begin his new career as a rioter in the skies! During his final years, he was adopted and had the chance to live the dream of every dog: having a warm house, yummy food, and lots of petting. His death was officially announced 6 months later and caused great sorrow. The world had lost a good boi…
If you happen to be in Athens, Greece, take a moment and go to the colorful neighborhood of Psyri, located near Monasteraki Square. Look for a street called “Riga Palamidou”. After about a five minutes walk, you will reach a narrow street with a huge graffiti of Loukanikos staring down at you! This was done by artist Vasilis Gryparis and is even today one of the most loved and famous graffitis in the city!
For many people, Loukanikos was nothing more than a street dog, who happened to be famous because he was near the people who fed him. But he was way more than that! In these desperate times, the people of Greece needed a funny hero. Someone who would make them laugh, while giving them the courage to fight. In times of great economic depression and mass protesting, this dog became the symbol of an urban revolution, not for some great act, not because he saved a protester from a brutal policeman or for dying heroically while being beaten. He became a legend for being present at the moment. For helping his friends by standing next to them, by running along with them. Whenever a man was shouting against the police he was there to bark. Whenever a woman was injured from tear gas, he was there, asking for a hug and giving “liquid kisses”, which made the pain go away.
The dog without a home, the street puppy which originally no one cared about and loved, became a living legend and found its place in the hearts of thousands of people. So, in the words of David Rovics:
“Let’s hear it for Loukanikos, the Riot Dog”
Bibliography
Demokides, A., (2014), The Life and Death of Loukanikos, available at https://www.lifo.gr/lifoland/mikropragmata/i-zoi-kai-o-thanatos-toy-loykanikoy-toy-skyloy-symbolo, (last access: 14/04/2023)
In.Gr Team, (2018), Οκτώ χρόνια από την ιστορική ατάκα του Πάγκαλου: «μαζί τα φάγαμε», available at https://www.in.gr/2018/09/21/life/stories/features/okto-xronia-apo-tin-istoriki-ataka-tou-pagkalou-mazi-ta-fagame/, (last access: 20/04/2023)
“Ethnos” newspaper, Euronews.com, (2014), Ένα γκράφιτι για τον… «Λουκάνικο»!, available at https://gr.euronews.com/2014/10/21/ena-grafiti-gia-ton-loukaniko-stin-athina, (last access: 20/04/2023)
“Αυγή” newspaper, news 247, (2014), Πέθανε ο Λουκάνικος, ο “σκύλος επαναστάτης, available at https://www.news247.gr/koinonia/pethane-o-loykanikos-o-skylos-epanastatis.6300154.html, (last access: 20/04/2023)
