Pitbulls attack child and her puppy in Limerick
TWO PITBULLS attacked a child and her puppy sparking a garda investigation, a new dossier detailing dog attacks in Limerick has revealed.
It comes as it emerged only one dog has been surrendered to council in the last two-and-a-half years over alleged dangerous attacks.
Limerick City and County Council, which is responsible for the control of dogs locally has admitted it has “no formal policy” when it comes to the investigation of canine attacks.
Councillor Sean Hartigan, who was provided with a breakdown of dog attacks at this month's metropolitan meeting has warned of a “time bomb” waiting to go off unless things improve.
The Green Party City East member, who himself was attacked by two dogs, has called for urgent reforms.
In response to a question at the meeting, Cllr Hartigan was given details of 14 dog attacks which were reported to the local authority.
Of these, only one case, from back in 2021, saw the dog surrendered.
In this case, a “Staff-type dog” attacked a person at Dublin Road.
The incident in which two pitbulls attacked a child and her puppy saw wardens called to an address with An Garda Siochana, and licences produced.
The matter was further investigated by garda officers, with the council having no further involvement.
Councillor Hartigan believes the local authority is not taking the issue of dog attacks seriously enough, and has called for more co-operation between it and the gardai.
“Maybe there is a flaw in the legislation. But I think the dog warden and the gardai have to take a call of an attack on people by a dog as very serious. They have the power to call to a person’s door, they have the power to go there quickly. If they do this, they may quickly find the dog loose on the road. At the moment, what they must do is use all the powers available to them.”
He’s going to push for a shared database between council and gardai.
In response, council environmental director Vincent Murray said when someone is a victim of a dog attack, they need to provide a written statement.
They must then report the matter to the gardai before furnishing council with a medical report if they’ve had to have medical treatment.
“These all help us to build our case, provide the evidence to issue fines and prosecute the case in the court if necessary,” Mr Murray stated in a written reponse.