A TUSSLE between a British woman and an MP at an animal shelter in the south Costa Blanca town of Orihuela (Alicante province) has ended in court.
Elisa Díaz (PP), whose father is ex-mayor of Alicante Luis Díaz Alperi, is linked to the ASOKA pet rescue centre with branches in Orihuela (pictured), and in San Vicente del Raspeig a few miles further north.
She had travelled to the shelter to collect some dogs and, whilst there, a British woman arrived with her daughter and two guard dogs.
Sra Díaz advised the British woman to be careful with the animals as they may cause problems if they got into contact with other rescued dogs.
In fact, the guard dogs tried to fight with and attack some of the other charges at the shelter, and Sra Díaz insisted they were put into cages.
An argument broke out between the two women in front of the expat's daughter, leading to the British woman spitting in the MP's face.
The dispute became physical and the punch-up was witnessed by four people.
Three months later, the British woman filed legal action against Sra Díaz, claiming she had perforated her ear-drum during the scrap.
The MP also suffered cuts and bruises, and she has provided a medical report to that effect with her defence.
Given Sra Díaz's status as a Parliamentary politician, she enjoys a certain level of diplomatic immunity which means any case against her goes straight to the regional high court of justice without having to pass through the lower courts before reaching said tribunal on appeal.
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