Spain Euthanizes Ebola Patient’s Dog Despite Mass Protests, Petition

Teresa Ramos, the Spanish nurse who was diagnosed with Ebola, had a dog named Excalibur. And because of concerns from local health officials that the dog had Ebola as well, they made the decision to euthanize him.

Ramos’ husband posted on the Facebook page for the group Amig@s X Los Animales (AXLA), revealing health officials spoke to him about putting Excalibur down. That kicked off a whirlwind of protests. A petition to keep him alive got well over 350,000 signatures.

And there had been lots of people protesting against the decision:

Protest in Madrid to save Excalibur, dog of nurse who contracted Ebola (Pic @110010010011010) #SalvemosAExcalibur pic.twitter.com/GIz3YfvgUV

— Spudnik (@IrishBerliner) October 8, 2014

Protesters confront Madrid cops hoping to spare life of #Ebola patient’s dog, #Excalibur. http://t.co/TQrLfgJnod pic.twitter.com/VnKtxJih0u

— Jim Roberts (@nycjim) October 8, 2014

Spain social moviment activism to defense Excalibur pic.twitter.com/bPMoY7mO7K

— Sergio.L.Mir (@sergiolopezmir) October 8, 2014

Outside the apartment where nurse with #Ebola lives, protesters fight to keep Excalibur the dog alive. #Excalibur pic.twitter.com/RV7glq6V5q

— Isa Soares (@IsaCNN) October 8, 2014

AXLA posted this emotional reaction on Facebook:

AXLA also posted this video of a very heated face-off with police following the decision to put Excalibur down:

[h/t CNN]
[image via AXLA]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac