Local Woman’s Adoption Gone Wrong: A Fight for Justice

Imagine this: you see a stray dog, injured and scared, and you decide to take it in, hoping to give it a loving home. That’s exactly what 45-year-old Malta resident, Maria Grech, did. But her act of kindness took a terrifying turn. The dog, which she named Max, bit off her arm in a sudden, violent attack. Now, Maria is fighting for her life and seeking justice.

From Rescue to Tragedy

Maria found Max wandering around the streets of Birkirkara, near her home on Triq San Pawl. Despite his initial fear and aggression, she managed to coax him into her car and took him home. She fed him, cleaned his wounds, and planned to take him to the vet the next day. But Max had other plans.

That night, as Maria slept, Max attacked. He bit her arm, shaking it viciously until it was torn off. Maria managed to call her neighbor, who rushed her to Mater Dei Hospital. Doctors worked tirelessly to save her life, but her arm could not be reattached.

Seeking Answers, Seeking Justice

Maria is now recovering at home, her left arm replaced with a prosthetic. But her physical wounds are nothing compared to the emotional trauma she’s enduring. “I just wanted to help him,” she says, tears streaming down her face. “I never thought he would do this.”

Maria’s lawyer, Dr. Joseph Borg, is helping her file a case against the Animal Welfare Department. “My client did everything right,” he says. “She found an injured animal, took it in, planned to get it medical help. She deserves justice.”

The Legal Maze

Malta’s animal welfare laws are complex. While it’s illegal to own a dangerous dog, it’s also illegal to abandon an injured animal. Maria’s case is caught in this legal maze. The Animal Welfare Department is investigating, but so far, no charges have been laid.

Maria’s story has sparked outrage among locals. Protests have been held outside the Animal Welfare Department, with residents demanding stricter laws and better enforcement. “We need to protect both people and animals,” says Joe Camilleri, a local activist.

Moving Forward

Maria is determined to move forward, to heal and to fight for justice. She’s started a foundation, Max’s Hope, to raise awareness about animal welfare and to help other people who, like her, have been victims of animal attacks.

“I never wanted this to happen,” she says. “But now that it has, I want to make sure it doesn’t happen to anyone else.”

If you’ve been affected by this story, or if you have information that could help Maria’s case, please contact Hot Malta. Together, we can make a difference.