Fear, suffering, hope and now smiles. She remembers everything from that late afternoon, every little detail. After all, the bite marks are still evident on her head and left arm . Almost 12 years have passed since Valentina Meloni found herself on the ground on the beach of Sa Rocca Tunda , in the marina of San Vero Milis, exhausted after being bitten by her two Corsican dogs. From that day on, a new life began for her. But now Valentina smiles again and wants to make an appeal: «Never underestimate the abnormal behavior of dogs, especially the large ones. Fortunately, I was saved».
It was 5:15 PM on March 30, 2013, Easter Eve. Valentina Meloni, now 42, was walking along the seashore with her two dogs, Rubo and Emma. "Rubo was different than usual, but I didn't give it any weight," she says. "I became his target as soon as he was off the leash." In just a few moments, the dog managed to tear off all the clothes Valentina was wearing. He used his paws, his teeth and all his strength. He tore off her skin and flesh, first from her arm and then from her head. Then Emma, the other dog, continued. Valentina then fainted: "I was on the ground, but after two hours I met two angels who have now become dear friends. Two guys who found me and saved me, they thought I was dead." Then the race to the Marino hospital in Cagliari, the beginning of the coma and the many visits to the operating room.
Valentina Meloni has undergone 21 surgeries since 2013, both on her head and her arm. But the ordeal is not over yet. "Fortunately, her head is starting to look normal, but the operations on her arm are still missing, the cosmetic ones." Hers is a very thin arm, without muscles. Valentina tries to protect it: "I use bandages. Fortunately, I can now use it without problems, but as far as aesthetics are concerned, it will be a long time. But never mind, I'm alive." Valentina is keen to make an appeal: "Anyone who decides to live with large animals must get help from an educator. It is essential, important. You have to know and understand every behavior of the animal in order to then intervene correctly. They loved me, and yet something went wrong that day." We will never know what happened.
