Greece to allow pets into more than 120 archaeological sites

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Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. archaeological / ˌɑr ki əˈlɒ dʒɪ kəl / (adj.) – relating to the study of ancient people’s way of life, cultures, activities, tools, etc.
    Example:

    Her love for history made her visit a lot of archaeological places around the world.


  2. harmonize / ˈhɑr məˌnaɪz / (v.) – to go well together and produce a very good result
    Example:

    We are harmonizing our department goals with the company’s mission and vision.


  3. leash / liʃ / (n.) – a long, thin rope or chain that can be attached to an animal’s collar
    Example:

    You have to keep your dog on a leash when you go to the park.


  4. droppings / ˈdrɒp ɪŋz / (n.) – an animal’s solid waste
    Example:

    Clean up the dog’s droppings on the floor.


  5. muzzle / ˈmʌz əl / (v.) – to put a cover over an animal’s nose and mouth to prevent it from biting
    Example:

    Some of the stray dogs we rescued had to be muzzled.


Article

Read the text below.

Pets will soon be allowed into more than 120 archaeological sites across Greece, the country’s Culture Ministry announced, although not in the Acropolis or some of the other top tourist draws.


The move, unanimously approved by the country’s powerful Central Archaeological Council, will relax current rules which only allow guide dogs for disabled visitors into archaeological sites. The ministry did not specify when the new regulations would be implemented.


The decision is “a first, but important, step toward harmonizing the framework of accessibility to monuments and archaeological sites with the standards of other European countries, where entry rules for pets already apply,” Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said in a ministry press release.


The council approved the entry of pets provided they are kept on a leash no more than one meter (3 feet) long, or carried by their owners in a pouch or a pet carrying case. Owners will also need to show their pet’s health certificate and carry the necessary accessories to pick up their animal’s droppings in order to be allowed entry, the ministry said. Larger dogs will have to be muzzled.


But some of the most popular archaeological sites, such as the Acropolis of Athens, Knossos in Crete, Ancient Olympia or Delphi, which tend to get very crowded, will still remain pet-free, as will ancient theaters, temples, graves and monuments with mosaic floors.


Cages will be installed at the entrances of more than 110 other archaeological sites, the ministry said, so owners can park their pets during their visit.


Tourism is one of Greece’s main industries, generating billions of euros in revenue each year.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Why do you think Greece came up with the idea to allow pets in archeological sites? Do you think it’s a good idea? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Tourism is one of Greece’s main industries, generating billions of euros in revenue each year. Do you think the decision to allow pets into archeological sites will have an effect on the industry’s income? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • In your opinion, what other places should be pet-friendly (ex. museums, cinemas)? Why? Discuss.
  • What sites or places in your country do you think should be and shouldn’t be pet-friendly? Why? Discuss.