Ebola victim's pet dog to be euthanized in Spain

MADRID, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Madrid health officials have obtained a court order to euthanize the pet dog of Teresa Romero Ramos, the nursing assistant diagnosed with Ebola.

The order comes just a day after Ramos became the first person known to have contracted the virus outside West Africa.

Ramos' husband, Javier Limon Romero, who is also in isolation, posted photos of their dog, Excalibur, to the Facebook page of Villa Pepa Protective Association, an animal rights organization.

In the post, Romero criticized the decision.

I want to publicly condemn that a certain Zarco, who I think is the health chief for the Madrid region, has told me that they have to put down my dog, just like that, without further ado. He has asked for my consent, which I have categorically denied. He says that they will therefore request a judicial order to break into my house and destroy him.

He also asked health officials to consider placing Excalibur in quarantine.

If this problem worries them so much, I think other alternative solutions can be found, such as, for example, putting the dog in quarantine and observation, as they have done with me. Or maybe they will have to put me down, just in case.

It is still unclear whether the Ebola virus can pass from dogs to humans.

Tom Frieden, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Tuesday that there is one study which suggests dogs can be infected with Ebola.

"Whether that was an accurate test and whether that was relevant we do not know," Frieden said.