Spanish animal lovers lose fight to stop Ebola patient's dog from being euthanized
Spanish animal rights activists have lost their fight to save the life of a dog belonging to a nurse who contracted Ebola after government officials ordered the animal to be euthanized. The dog was put down Wednesday afternoon.
Teresa Romero became the first person to become infected with the virus after treating a priest who became ill in Sierra Leone. Romero and her husband are under quarantine in Madrid and Tuesday, Spanish authorities said their dog Excalibur would be euthanized to avoid any possible risk that the animal might spread the virus.
Wednesday, crowds of animal rights activists rallied outside the couple's apartment, where Excalibur could be seen on the apartment's balcony. Supporters have also taken the movement online; more than 375,000 people have signed a change.org petition asking the government to quarantine the dog rather than kill it. The hashtag #SalvemosaExcalibur, Spanish for "Let's save Excalibur," is trending on Twitter in Spain, with many pet owners posting photos of their own dogs.
In a post on the Facebook page of a Spanish animal rights organization, Javier Limon Romero wrote that he declined to consent to having the dog euthanized and added that before leaving for their apartment for the hospital, he left Excalibur with food and water.
Below is a translation of the post:
I want to denounce publicly that Zarco, I think he is head of the health of the community of Madrid, he told me that they have to sacrifice my dog. He asked me for my consent. Which I have strongly refused. He said that they will ask for a warrant to enter my home by force and sacrifice him.
Before going to the hospital I left several buckets of water, also with water in the bath. Also a 15k bag of feed to have food and water. I also left the terrace open to take care of your needs.
It seems to me unfair for wanting to solve a mistake through this quick solution. A dog does not have to be contagious to a person and vice versa. If you so worried about this problem I think that another type of alternative solution can be found, like putting the dog in quarantine and observation as they've done with me. Or should I be sacrificed as well just in case? But of course, a dog is easier, so it doesn't matter so much.
Government officials later obtained a court order authorizing the dog to be euthanized.
