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The Maltese Herald

Maltese couple accused of abandoning animal shelter in Spain sends legal threats and a right of reply

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by

Maltese Herald
in

The Maltese couple accused of defrauding and abandoning an animal sanctuary in Spain sent various emails and messages to the The Maltese Herald threatening us with legal action and demanding the removal of our article about their case. The threats we are receiving do not reflect well on their behaviour and they are known by animal activists in Malta for their online bullying. We are publishing their right of reply below to fulfill our legal obligations.

You can read our article here.

Right of Reply. 

Maltese Family Defend Their Work at Spanish Animal Shelter Amid False Accusations

Costa Blanca, Spain – A Maltese couple, Karl Darmanin and Abigail Attard, together with their children, are speaking out against damaging and false allegations circulating online about their time volunteering at a small animal shelter in Costa Blanca.

The family, who relocated from Malta with the aim of helping vulnerable dogs and cats, worked for months under very difficult conditions. With few resources, limited volunteer support, and even enduring a severe storm, they ensured the animals received care and safety. Their children also proudly took part as volunteers, helping with feeding and cleaning.

Despite their dedication, the family has now been accused of “fraud” and “abandonment” — claims which they strongly deny and for which no evidence has been presented. In fact, when the family briefly left the shelter to recover from the exhausting conditions, arrangements were made for their dogs to be safely cared for, with proof available from neighbors and police records.

Karl Darmanin stated:
“We came with open hearts and good intentions. We gave everything to those animals, often with little support from the very people now spreading lies about us. We will not let these false stories destroy the truth — the animals always came first.”

The family is calling for transparency and accountability from those responsible for the defamatory campaign and urges the public to look at the facts before judging.

ENDS

Comments

3 responses to “Maltese couple accused of abandoning animal shelter in Spain sends legal threats and a right of reply”

  1. The Dog Sitter avatar
    The Dog Sitter

    Why does it read like a PR piece, as if the Darmanin’s have been sought out by a journalists, to present their side of the story? A headline and a ‘quote’ too? Who are these people?

    It seems the Shark Tank people reneged on their 80k offer due to the lack of a business plan and poor organisation. Surprised?

    Reply
  2. Karl Darmanin avatar
    Karl Darmanin

    Thank you for giving us space to reply. We want to clarify a few important facts.

    1. Our Dogs Were Never Abandoned
    After leaving the shelter on 14 September, our dogs went directly to a dog sitter in Redován. They remained there, apart from one dog who was later taken to K9 Club after neighbors complained about barking. The Redován police attended the property, which confirms the dogs were housed and supervised. We also still have one dog with the sitter today.

    2. We Improved the Shelter
    During our short time at K9 Club, we repaired hurricane damage, secured kennels, and kept animals fed and cared for in extreme heat with no running water. We did this as a family, with our children helping as part of the volunteer effort.

    3. Abuse of Shelter Managers
    We now understand we are the sixth management team in a row to face this kind of treatment. The pattern is clear: when people ask for transparency, the leadership begins spreading lies. This is not about us personally — it is about a structure that protects a few individuals instead of the animals.

    4. Why This Matters
    We are a Maltese family who gave our time and energy to help animals. Instead of being supported, we were attacked. The truth is that the NGO structure has been used as a cover for certain British nationals to remain in Spain without proper accountability. That is why we are calling for transparency, resignations where appropriate, and—if necessary—the closure of K9 Club in its current form.

    We are a strong family, and we will not be broken. We are committed to exposing the lies and ensuring that what happened to us—and to the five managers before us—does not continue.

    The animals always came first for us, and always will.

    Sincerely,
    The Darmanin Family

    Reply
    1. Mark Camilleri avatar
      Mark Camilleri

      I don’t think your legal threats that you sent us reflect well on you. We only published information that was already publicly available and we are not the ones making the claims. I have no idea why Spanish animal activists would have any interest to defame you. My genuine advice would be to settle with them to close the case.

      Reply

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