Madrid's regional government said it is going to kill the dog owned by the Spanish nursing aide who tested positive for Ebola.

In a statement released Tuesday, local authorities said available scientific and medical knowledge revealed that dogs may have the ability to transmit the virus to humans.

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The Spanish nurse became the first person who contracted the virus outside of  West Africa after being part of the team in Carlos III hospital. She cared for a Spanish missionary who died of Ebola in September.

Excalibur, the nurse's pet dog, is of mixed breed, and will be euthanized to prevent suffering and any chance of transmitting the virus, according to the Madrid regional government.

In Africa, it had been suggested that some people were infected from eating and handling meat of wild animals and bats, which are thought to be carriers of the virus.

On Tuesday, CDC Director Tom Frieden said during a media conference that an article in a medical literature stated that dogs contained Ebola antibodies in their system, but it has not yet been proven.

"We have not identified this as a means of transmission," Frieden said, adding that scientists have already seen pieces of evidence that the Ebola virus can infect mammals and can be transmitted by them

Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner Dr. David Lakey said there have not been any reports of Dallas animals that were exposed to the virus.

Meanwhile, the nurse's husband, who was put under quarantine after his wife tested positive for the virus, posted a photo of Excalibur on Facebook, to oppose the governments decision.

There were other alternative solutions to make sure the virus is contained, such as putting the dog under quarantine, according to the nurse's husband.

"Or should they sacrifice me as well just in case?" he asked on the post.

TagsSpanish nurse, Madrid, Dog, Ebola outbreak, Infection, what is ebola