A woman lost an arm to a dog she wanted to adopt. She’s now seeking justice
Malta Woman’s Amputation: A Tale of Trust, Betrayal, and Justice
Imagine walking into a shelter, your heart filled with kindness, ready to give a dog a loving home. Now imagine walking out, your arm missing, your life forever changed. This is the reality for Maria, a Malta resident who visited the Animal Welfare Society in Rabat, seeking to adopt a dog.
Trust Betrayed
Maria’s story began like many others who visit animal shelters. She wanted to give a dog a second chance. She chose a seemingly friendly, one-year-old mixed breed. But within minutes of taking the dog, now named Bella, out of the shelter, the unthinkable happened. Bella viciously attacked Maria, biting off her left arm.
“I was in shock,” Maria recalls, “I couldn’t believe what was happening. I had trusted the shelter, trusted that the dog was safe.”
Shelter’s Response and the Aftermath
The Animal Welfare Society, upon hearing about the attack, expressed shock and offered their condolences. However, Maria alleges that they have since been uncooperative, refusing to take responsibility or offer compensation. “They’ve been evasive, not forthcoming with information about the dog’s history or how this could have happened,” she says.
Maria’s life has been upended. She’s undergone multiple surgeries, faces a long road to recovery, and has had to adapt to life without her left arm. She’s also had to deal with the emotional trauma of the attack and the betrayal she feels from the shelter.
Seeking Justice
Maria has since engaged a lawyer, Dr. Joseph Giglio, who is helping her navigate the legal process. They are exploring options for compensation and seeking answers about Bella’s history. “We want to know why this happened,” Dr. Giglio says, “And we want to ensure something like this never happens again.”
Maria’s case has sparked a conversation about the responsibilities of animal shelters and the need for transparency. It’s also raised questions about the vetting process for dogs up for adoption.
“I never wanted this to happen,” Maria says, her voice steady with determination, “But now that it has, I want to make sure something good comes out of it. I want to help make Malta’s animal shelters safer for everyone.”
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