Spanish Ebola nurse whose dog Excalibur was put down amid riots adopts new pet 'Alma' – Spanish for 'Soul'

Teresa Romero said losing Excalibur was 'worst part' of contracting the deadly disease

Spanish nurse and Ebola survivor Teresa Romero (C) and her husband Javier Limon (R) after receiving dog 'Alma' from Alcorcon's Mayor David Perez (L) (EPA)

A Spanish nurse whose dog was put down while she struggled in hospital against Ebola has adopted a new pet from her local animal rescue centre.

The decision by authorities in Alcorcon to euthanise Teresa Romero’s pet dog Excalibur caused a small riot and two protesters were injured throwing themselves at a vet’s van as it took the animal away to be killed.

Ms Romero described losing the pet as “the worst part” of her experience contracting the deadly disease, and hit out at health officials when she left hospital saying Excalibur “wasn’t given a chance”.

Her husband, Javier Limon, described Excalibur as “the son we never had”, and insisted officials missed an opportunity to study whether Ebola can be transmitted by dogs. Some research suggests the animals may carry the disease asymptomatically, and that they can pass it on to humans.

Spanish nurse Teresa Romero leaves Carlos III Hospital after being discharged on 5 November, 2014 in Madrid, Spain (Getty Images)

Teresa Romero with her husband, Javier Limon, after her discharge from hospital in Madrid (EPA)

Teresa Romero with Excalibur (EPA)

But on Saturday Ms Romero was joined by Alcorcon’s Mayor David Perez as they welcomed their new pet home. While Excalibur was mixed-breed, their new dog is an American Stafford called “Alma”, which means “soul”.

Ms Romero and Mr Limon said they wanted to “serve as an example so these [rescue] animals can have a family like Alma and be happy”.

The Cipa rescue centre near Madrid wrote “Alma is adopted” on its Facebook page on Saturday, adding: “This gorgeous dog has found a home, thank you Teresa and Javier for adopting her.”