An animal rights group criticized an influencer for leaving her pet dog behind while evacuating from Dubai amid missile and drone strikes in the UAE. Maddy Burciaga, a 32-year-old French influencer with 2.7 million Instagram followers, disclosed that her dog remained in Dubai with the family’s nanny due to complex paperwork issues. This decision faced backlash from the public and La Ligue Des Animaux, who condemned her actions, emphasizing the loyalty of dogs to their owners. The organization expressed disappointment in Maddy’s lack of effort to reunite with her pet.
Originally from Pont-à-Mousson, Maddy, also known as Maddy Samat, née Scheidler, is the founder of Mlips Cosmetics and gained fame in 2015 from the reality show Who Wants to Marry My Son? This is not the first time Maddy has been embroiled in controversy. In the past, she received criticism for misleadingly associating her cosmetics brand with the animal welfare organization Fondation Brigitte Bardot.
Social media reactions varied, with some accusing Maddy of not genuinely caring for her dog, while others defended her actions as temporary. The ongoing conflict in the region has caused concern among expatriates, with some choosing to leave their pets behind. Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai and Due Process International, highlighted the growing unease among expats and investors in Dubai due to war fears and censorship concerns.
Maddy has been contacted for a response regarding the situation.
