Israel quarantine case proves a man is a dog's best friend

Nov 9, 2009, 13:06 GMT

Tel Aviv - A dog may be man's best friend, but sometimes the opposite holds true as well, at least in the case of a resident of the Israeli city of Petah Tikva.

Moshe Dexel was so distraught at having to place Nili, his two-and-a-half-year-old pincher, in quarantine at the city's veterinary compound that he decided to enter the cage with her. He then refused to leave.

The daily Yediot Ahranot reported Monday that Dexel, 52, married, self-employed in the computer industry, and with three children, was worried how his dog would react to being placed in the quarantine cage, given her traumatic past.

He told the daily that Nili's former owners had abandoned her when she was still a pup, and she had still not overcome the ordeal.

He said city authorities decided to quarantine Nili for 10 days after she snapped at an infant who had been tormenting her last week, despite the fact that she had been inoculated and the infant did not need any medical attention.

Dexel and Nili presented themselves at the city's veterinary compound on Sunday morning. Dexel then astonished officials by saying he would remain in quarantine with his pooch.

He agreed to leave the cage only in the afternoon, but said he would return daily to ensure Nili was coping.