Dog broke free from lead and bit woman in Laois

A Staffordshire Bull Terrier broke free from its lead and bit a woman in Mountmellick. 

Niamh Kavanagh (24) of 3 Church View Apartments, Ash Grove, Mountmellick admitted not having control of a dog and having an unmuzzled dog at an estate in Mountmellick on May 4, 2023. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the dog bit a woman who was left with a minor cut on her arm. He said the dog was a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the defendant, who had never been in trouble before, had been very forthcoming and co-operative. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client was eight months pregnant at the time and the dog moved quickly and broke free of the lead. He described it as “an unfortunate incident” and said his client had the dog put down. 

“It wasn’t easy in circumstances where she had a bond built up,” Mr Fitzgerald explained. 

Judge Susan Fay said “it wasn’t easy on the person who got bitten.” 

Mr Fitzgerald produced a letter from the vets and said in cases involving dogs the “most serious punishment” can be putting the dog down. He said his client, who worked part time as a waitress, was apologetic. 

Judge Fay said it was “nasty enough” and she said the dog could have gone to a child’s buggy. 

She acknowledged that the defendant hadn’t set out to lose control of the dog but said the woman should have foreseen the possibility of it breaking free. She also noted that the breed of dog should have been muzzled. 

“That woman had to go to a doctor,” said Judge Fay. 

“I offered to bring her to a doctor,” the defendant said. 

“If that dog had a muzzle it wouldn’t have happened,” Judge Fay said. 

Judge Fay noted the injured party had said her arm “was sore and stinging” after the incident. 

Mr Fitzgerald said there didn’t appear to be any longterm damage as a result of the bite. 

Judge Fay said “that woman might be afraid to go for a walk now.” 

She adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on April 7 for the payment of €500 in compensation. She said if that was done she would strike the matter out. If it wasn’t done she said she would convict and fine the woman €1,000.