Ebola survivor nurse adopts new puppy

The Spanish Ebola survivor whose dog was destroyed while she lay in hospital fighting the deadly virus has adopted another rescue dog.

The nurse Teresa Romero, 44, was fighting for her life last October, when authorities sacrificed her beloved pet, Excalibur, amid fears that the animal may also have contracted the disease.

The decision to euthanize the animal, a 12-year-old mongrel, caused public outrage and led to violent clashes between protesters and riot police when authorities arrived at the family home to remove the dog.

Así es 'Alma', el nuevo perro adoptado por Teresa Romero y su marido → http://t.co/SQaS4wRR3L

— EL PAÍS Madrid (@el_pais_madrid) January 24, 2015

Mrs Romero said she was left heartbroken at losing her pet and said it was "the worst part" of contracting Ebola.

She and her husband Javier Limón described Excalibur as "the child we never had" and vowed to fight Madrid authorities through the courts for compensation.

But now the couple have welcomed a new dog into their life after adopting American Stafford puppy from a local rescue centre.  Named Alma, meaning Soul, the pet was given home on Saturday.

Speaking of their decision to adopt another dog, Mrs Romero said in a statement released through Alcorcón Town Hall: "We want to serve as an example so these abandoned animals can find a new family and be happy."