The feral child, Oxana Malaya, was raised by dogs until the age of eight or nine when the authorities found her. Apparently, she was neglected by her alcoholic parents at the age of three but she found love and comfort in the company of dogs. Staying with the dogs made her lack many basic skills like talking. Instead, she had the physical features of that of a dog.
After several years of specialized therapy, Malaya was taught to subdue her dog-like behavior. Her situation made her gain worldwide recognition. Her story has been featured in several documentaries such as the Russian TV channel NTV documentary. Despite all that has been said about the Russian feral child, be careful not to call her a “dog girl”.
Was Oxana Malaya Really Raised By Dogs?
Born November 4th, 1983, Malaya comes from a village called Nova Blagovishchenka in Hornostaivka Raion of Kherson Oblast in southern Ukraine. Doctors and medical reports claim she was born an average child until she became neglected by her alcoholic parents at the age of three.
After she was abandoned and left alone, Oxana crawled into a farmyard where there was a dog kennel, with the family’s pet dog, Naida. The farmyard was close to her parent’ home. That place became her home and the dogs, her most immediate family. She lived and behaved like a dog for some time.
Nadia and others started treating Oxana as one of their own by sharing their food and the dogs in turn protected her from any harm.
Here are 5 Shocking Facts about Oxana Malaya
1. She was rescued by the authorities after almost 6 years
During her formative years with the dogs, Oxana learned how to walk on all fours, jump, run, eat, and bark just like the dogs. In fact, she could not talk but bark!
In 1994, when she was 8-9 years old, someone noticed her roaming with a pack of wild dogs and called the police. When the authorities came, it was so hard for them to separate her from the dogs.
Following her rescue, she continued to shuffle between psychiatries hospitals and group homes for treatment. She was also taken into a foster home to be taught how to walk and converse with people however, she still held on to some of her canine behaviours.
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2. Oxana Malaya is often compared to Genie Wiley
According to reports, doctors and experts have compared Oxana’s case with that of a girl named Genie Wiley, who was locked away from the outside most of her life by her abusive parents. In Genie’s case, she was not raised by animals but she suffered almost the same social deprivation as Oxana, She could not also talk or walk when she was discovered.
Reports say Genie was locked in her bedroom from the age of two and tied up in a handmade straight jacket and strapped to a chair. This was because her father believed she was disabled. She was allegedly only fed a liquid diet, which left her severely malnourished.
Genie’s rescue in 1970 gave experts the chance to study critical learning periods for children.
Oxana and Genie are not the only cases that have been discovered. In the 1920s, two young girls were found in the Indian jungle. They were reportedly rescued from wolves’ den at the ages of three and eight. They were living with a female wolf and her protective pack.
The two girls were reportedly rescued and taken to an orphanage where experts tried to help them adjust to human life.
There was another case in 1954. Known as Marina Chapman, this feral child was kidnapped at the age of five in a South American village and was abandoned in the jungle.
3. The Nova Blagovishchenka native might never be able to catch up on some crucial years of her development
After undergoing several cognitive tests by child psychologists and experts, it has been said that Oxana Malaya might never be able to catch up on the learning she missed during her formative years.
She has tried to learn some language basics. Despite the improvement, experts still say her language is odd and she speaks flatly. Her speech has no rhythm or music, no inflection or tone either.
4. Has Oxana Malaya reunited with her family?
After she was rescued, the Russian revealed she wanted to meet her parents so the team tried to reconnect her with them. All the efforts to trace her mother were futile, however, her father was traced.
The meeting between Oxana and her father was very tense until she eased it up with a hug. She got to meet her half-sister as well.
5. Where is Oxana Malaya now?
Now 41 years old, Oxana lives in a special care home in Odessa. She takes care of animals and her ability to communicate with people has drastically improved. Regardless of that, reports say said there are times she feels lonely and reverts back to her canine ways.
According to Shutterbulky, Oxana has a lover but other sites suggest the relationship has long ended.
Considering how odd Oxana’s story is, she has gained gain worldwide recognition. Her story has been featured in several documentaries including the Russian TV channel NTV documentary.
