Woman jumped into passing car to escape attacking pit bull in Laois

A woman admitted failing to control a pit bull which bit two women near her home. 

Roxanne Cawley (32) of 1 Derrycloney, Mountmellick, pleaded guilty to not having control of a grey pit bull dog at Derrycloney on March 14 and on March 29, 2025. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said a woman was “attacked by a small grey pit bull dog” while walking at Derrycloney on March  14. The woman suffered a “small cut below her knee” and attended the emergency department at Portlaoise Hospital, said Sgt Kirby. 

On March 29, another woman was attacked in the area when “a small grey pit bull ran out onto the road and bit her” on the leg. He said the woman “had to stop a passerby and jump into his car” to escape the dog. He said the accused had seven previous convictions but all related to the road traffic act. Sgt Kirby said he had a medical report from one of the injured parties. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said the medical report stated “abrasion noted to the left shin and she was dismissed with no planned follow up”.  

 “We accept the dog was on the road,” said Ms Fitzpatrick. She said her client had been in the process of leaving the address when the incidents occurred. “They have very high gates and they (the dogs) were generally detained behind these gates”, she said. 

“The dogs were taken by the dog warden and they have been euthanised,” said Ms Fitzpatrick. 

“They were dogs that were left and she herself was anxious to be shot of these dogs,”  she said. 

Judge Susan Fay granted legal aid and ordered victim impact statements, restorative justice and she adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on May 18.