After the adoption of the dog rescued from Učka was presented as a fairy tale with a happy ending, Lou ended up back behind the shelter's bars. Heated reactions followed, and Mirela Rupić has now spoken out.
The story that moved Croatia a few months ago has taken an unexpected and bitter turn. Lou, a dog rescued from horrific conditions in the Učka area and adopted by Lana Lourdes Rupić, a 19-year-old civil engineering student and current Miss Croatia, has been returned to the shelter. The news sparked an avalanche of criticism on social media, prompting Lana's mother, Mirela Rupić, to share her side of the story.
In mid-May 2026, the public was shaken by the case from Učka, where 47 live dogs were found in extremely poor conditions. Among them was Lou, whose story particularly touched Lana Rupić, the daughter of renowned actor Goran Višnjić. Lana recounted the pivotal moment to Gloria: "When she curled up in my lap like a little bun, starved to the bone and weighing barely a kilo and a half, I knew I couldn't leave without her. It was as if she told me herself: 'Now get up and take me home.'"
However, in early August 2026, shock set in. The Rijeka Animal Protection Society announced that Lou had been returned. "Although it seemed everything was as it should be and that Lou had found her people, everything changed overnight. In fact, after one phone call, instead of fulfilling the adoption contract, the little one arrived back at the shelter. We didn't even have time to react," the volunteers wrote. They particularly emphasized the gravity of the situation given her past: "Lou is a puppy that came from the horror of Učka. This makes the story even harder. Even though she was small when she left there, it breaks our hearts that she has to fight for a home again."
So far, the shelter has not released specific reasons for the return, but Mirela Rupić decided to publicly share her side of the story after her daughter faced a barrage of criticism. "This message is for all of you who attacked my daughter in the comments without knowing the truth. The reason here was a brutal attack on our cat, whom Lou grabbed by the neck and started choking," Mirela wrote.
She also described the daily efforts they put into caring for the dog. "We struggled every day with a new way of life because the living space was full of feces since the dog came with a cough and couldn't be vaccinated, but that was never a problem for us," Mirela claims. According to her, problems escalated when Lou started going for walks and showing aggression toward other dogs, children, and people, culminating in the attack on the cat. "Lou grabbed one of our two cats by the neck and literally started strangling her. If we hadn't reacted, we would have lost her," she stated.
Mirela also criticized the shelter, claiming they didn't receive timely help. "Is it humane for the shelter to ignore you at the first signs that something is wrong with the dog's behavior?" she asked. She emphasized that the decision to return Lou was not made lightly: "No one is going to choke our other animals. The shelter perfidiously omitted that."
The announcement of Lou's return sparked heated reactions. While some expressed disappointment, others defended the family's decision. One commenter on social media questioned Mirela's version of events, recalling a previously posted video: "It's strange since you posted a video of Lou and the cat cuddling and enjoying themselves on your profile."
Another comment was even harsher: "No one forced you to adopt her. When you adopt, you have to deal with problems. Get a trainer, whatever." Some users also quoted earlier statements by Lana Rupić, who emphasized that "dogs and cats are not objects we can leave behind when they no longer suit us or when we go on vacation. They depend on us and trust us unconditionally." One commenter summed up the sentiment of part of the public: "Wait, was this adorable little soul all over the media from Miss Croatia Lana Rupić? Disappointment!! Dogs are not adopted for PR marketing but out of love and care for a little soul."
Mirela Rupić concluded: "Don't spit on others until you know the truth. We truly did everything for the dog, and then total shock when we saw the cat being choked to death by that same dog." As the controversy continues, shelter volunteers are looking for a new home for Lou, this time hoping for a permanent solution: "Lou is a beautiful little crumb. She's looking for her people, this time forever."
