Court starts hearing case of woman who lost arm to dog she wanted to adopt
Elisa Falzon was brutally attacked in her home in June 2024
The court case of a woman who lost her arm to a dog she planned to adopt has started before Judge Francesco Depasquale.
Elisa Falzon was brutally attacked in her home in June 2024 by a dog that she and her husband had taken in on a trial basis from the Animal Welfare department. For months, the department had advertised the dog as “tame, calm and gentle, suitable for domestic life and for integration into a family environment”.
But only five days into the trial adoption, Falzon was subjected to a vicious attack, leaving her in “danger of dying”.
During the first sitting, the court heard submissions from Falzon’s legal team requesting a correction to the preliminary exceptions.
This request was prompted by administrative restructuring within the ministry following the election.
Sharlo Camilleri, the former Permanent Secretary for the Ministry for Agriculture, testified during the proceedings. He said that while the Directorate for Animal Welfare previously fell under his remit, it had now been transferred to the Environment Ministry.
Falzon's lawyers told the court that the request was necessary given that the incident occurred two years ago.
The amendment is being sought to identify and pursue those responsible for the incident accurately.
The court upheld the victim's request.
For the upcoming sitting, it has ordered the appearance of representatives from the Environment Ministry, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Animal Welfare, the Permanent Secretary for the Environment Ministry and the Agriculture Ministry.
Falzon is scheduled to begin presenting her evidence during the next sitting.
Lawyers Alessia Zammit McKean and Massimo Vella are appearing for Falzon.