A Maltese woman who had her left forearm amputated after being brutally mauled by a dog during a trial adoption has opened court proceedings against the authorities, accusing them of failures that led to the life-changing attack.Elisa Falzon was attacked in her home in June 2024 by a bully breed dog she and her husband had taken in on a trial basis from Malta’s Animal Welfare Directorate as reported by Times of Malta. According to court filings, the dog had been promoted as tame, calm and gentle, suitable for family life. But just five days after the adoption, the animal allegedly turned violent and launched what was described as an immediate and ferocious attack.The dog first showed aggression toward Falzon’s existing pet before suddenly attacking her, biting both arms and dragging her from the living room into the garden.The attack only stopped when the dog paused to drink from the pool, allowing Falzon to escape back inside and shut the door using her hips, as her injured arms could no longer function.Despite losing a large amount of blood, she reportedly remained conscious throughout the ordeal.She was rushed to Mater Dei Hospital with deep wounds to both arms, a fractured hand, and severe damage to the artery supplying blood to her left arm.Falzon spent 12 weeks in hospital and underwent around 50 hours of surgery.The injuries ultimately resulted in the amputation of her left forearm, permanent nerve damage to her right arm, multiple fractures, and 17 scars across her body. She was also left with significant long-term disability and post-traumatic stress disorder.Legal action has now been filed against Animal Welfare officials, Anton Refalo, the animal rights permanent secretary and the state advocate.Falzon argues the authorities failed to properly assess the dog before placing it in her care, failed to disclose its behavioural history, and lacked proper systems to protect adopters and the public.Her lawyers are seeking compensation for existing and future medical costs, prosthetics, loss of earnings and the need for full-time care.Two months after the attack, new regulations were announced banning the breeding, importation, sale and keeping of non-pedigree bully dogs in Malta.Lawyers Alessia Zammit McKeon and Massimo Vella assisted Falzon.•