Pit bull-type dog that mauled woman in Cork was ‘beloved family pet'
The dog at the centre of a Cork mauling was a family pet which was a pit bull cross-breed.
The revelation came as a woman badly injured in the attack is recovering from surgery at Cork University Hospital (CUH).
Her injuries, while not life threatening, have been described as serious as the dog was apparently able to knock her to the ground and repeatedly bite her head and upper body.
It is likely that the woman, aged in her 30s, will require plastic surgery once she has recovered from her injuries.
The incident occurred in a housing estate in the Ballyvolane area after 6pm on Friday, and the woman's desperate screams for help alerted local residents.
Horrified locals tried to help the woman and attempted to fend off the enraged dog.
The large animal had apparently knocked the woman to the ground and was attempting to maul her arms, face and head.
Courageous locals rushed to the scene and tried to get the dog away from the woman and protect her from further injury.
At least one other person suffered bite injuries as they bravely tried to protect the woman.
Gardaí, supported by armed officers, attended the scene along with paramedics, dog control officers and a vet.
The woman was brought to safety, and the animal was euthanised.
Locals said the woman was left traumatised by the mauling.
She was treated at the scene before being rushed by ambulance to CUH.
A second individual who suffered bite injuries during the incident was treated at the scene but did not require hospitalisation.
Gardaí are investigating the circumstances of the incident.
The dog involved is understood to have been a beloved family pet and had never before displayed any aggressive traits.
Locals were deeply shocked by the mauling.
The area involved has a lot of children playing in greens and open areas.
Ireland has witnessed a number of serious dog attacks over recent years.
Two people, including a young baby, died in separate attacks in Waterford in 2021 and in Limerick in 2024.
A young boy was left with serious facial injuries after he was attacked by an XL Bully dog in Wexford in 2022.
A woman narrowly escaped fatal injuries in Cork in 2016 when she was attacked by her partner's bull terrier and surgeons subsequently had to fight to save her arm.
XL Bullys were effectively outlawed each year, with owners required to surrender their animals or apply for special permission to keep them.
A pit bull type dog. Stock image
Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 20th
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
3 days ago
- Sunday World
Gardaí forced to retreat in tussle with man who took to garage with young child
Audrius Bliutas, of Monaghan Town, came before a sitting of Monaghan District Court Gardaí were forced to run for cover when a father of one violently resisted arrest and became involved in an intense struggle with officers during the course of a routine welfare check, a court has been told. Thirty-three-year-old Audrius Bliutas, of Belgium Park, Monaghan Town came before a sitting of Monaghan District Court following an incident on November 16 last year at Derrynagrew, Monaghan. Sgt Lisa McEntee told of how gardaí were initially called to the scene on foot of claims by Bliutas' partner the accused had taken to a garage with their child following an all day drinking binge. Audrius Bliutas forced gardaí to retreat for their own safety following a violent encounter on the outskirts of Monaghan town, a court has heard. When officers knocked on the garage door in a bid to cajole Bliutas outside, Sgt McEntee revealed how the accused suddenly became 'highly aggressive', first by pushing gardaí before becoming embroiled in a violent physical altercation moments later. During that scuffle, the court was told Bliutas proceeded to pick up and throw an unidentified object towards gardaí in an episode that resulted in glass being smashed inside the property. Sgt McEntee said such was the volatile nature of the incident, gardaí were forced to retreat for their own safety until further assistance arrived. In the midst of that stand-off, Judge Raymond Finnegan was told how Bliutas attempted to flee the scene on foot moments later in a move which ultimately coincided in his arrest following a foot chase with gardaí. Audrius Bliutas outside Monaghan Courthouse. News in 90 Seconds - July 24th The upshot of those actions saw gardaí charge Bliutas with two counts of assault, together with a subsequent shoplifting offence at Circle K, Monaghan on March 6 this year as well as two further public order incidents on January 19 at Roosky Monaghan and at the town's Market Street area on April 20. The former, Sgt McEntee revealed, took place at 3pm in the afternoon and which subsequently resulted in two further offensive weapons charges being handed down after Bliutas was searched and found to be carrying a penknife and a 'shiv' or 'sharply pointed blade'. When the court was told Bliutas had a previously unblemished record to his name, defence solicitor Roísín Courtney applied for a probation report to be carried out on her client. That suggestion was one which initially appeared to cut little ice with Judge Finnegan who addressed Ms Courtney directly by asking: 'What will a probation report tell me that you can't?' In entering guilty pleas on behalf of the accused, Ms Courtney said her rationale was largely based on her belief Bliutas was a man who could benefit from the court's assistance. Judge Raymond Finnegan remanded Audrius Bliutas on bail to a court sitting in November for the purposes of a probation and community service report. She said despite her client's strong work ethic, he was someone who was currently attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings in a bid to address a drink dependency. Having handed in €40 to cover the cost of the items Bliutas stole from Circle K, Judge Finnegan applied section 1 (1) of the Probation Act owing to the Monaghan man's previous good character. Bliutas was, however, ordered to undergo a probation and community service report for the remaining charges before the court and was remanded on bail to a sitting of Monaghan District Court on November 3.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Builder mauled by XL Bully who ‘ripped flesh from his bones' after escaping while owner offered him cup of tea
A BUILDER was left seriously injured after being mauled by an XL Bully during a tea break. The dog, called Ozzy, repeatedly bit into the man's leg, leaving his flesh ripped away from the bone. 3 A builder in Norwich was viciously mauled by an XL Bully Credit: Getty 3 Daniel Savino, 46, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control when it caused injury Credit: SWNS It occurred while the builder was working on a home extension in Norwich on January 21. While the owner had reportedly agreed to keep the dog inside, it escaped when the builder was asked if he wanted a drink. The savage attack left the man needing surgery, as he is unsure if his lower leg will regain feeling. In addition to the physical damage, the self-employed builder has also suffered financial damage as he has been left unable to work. Read more News It comes after legislation in February 2024 made it illegal to own an XL Bully without an exemption certificate. An insurance policy had also been taken out on Ozzy, with a £12,000 payout. While Ozzy had been registered exempt, the attack could mean the dog is subject to a destruction order. Daniel Savino, 46, who had been looking after his partner's dog on the day of the attack, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control when it caused injury. Most read in The Sun He will be sentenced on September 25 and could face time in prison. Savino's defence solicitor said the dog had been bought four years ago, and that the attack was "out of character". He said it was an "unfortunate slip" that it had escaped through three door gates. 3 The attack left the man with his flesh ripped off the bone in his leg Credit: Getty
Sunday World
3 days ago
- Sunday World
Nephew of murdered Provo accused of ‘hitting mum with hairdryer'
Ciaran Ledgewood, whose uncle Tommy Donaghy was shot dead in 1991, is also accused of using a knife to attack his brother This is the nephew of an ex-Provo murdered by loyalists 34 years ago who's accused of using a garden ornament and a hairdryer to assault his mother. Ciaran Ledgewood, whose uncle Tommy Donaghy was shot dead in 1991, is also accused of using a knife to attack his brother – although the court heard he told cops he was defending himself after his brother hit him with a shovel. The 43-year-old was refused bail after he was charged at Derry Magistrates Court with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of a knife, and assault causing actual bodily harm against his mother and brother. Thomas Donaghy Ledgewood, of Meadow Lands in Antrim, was charged with the offences that were said to have occurred on June 29. Police were called by Ledgewood's mother, who told them that he had been in her face until she slapped him, after which he was said to have hit her with a hairdryer. Following this, the court heard that he was locked outside and tried to kick through the gate of the house. He was then said to have thrown a garden statue that hit his mother on the head. Ledgewood's brother was then said to have tried to hold him back with a shovel before Ledgewood allegedly lifted a knife and wounding him. When questioned, he admitted to throwing the statue but claimed that he did not mean to hit his mother with it. He also denied the charges against his brother, claiming that it was self-defence. His mother has refused to give a statement and his brother is said to be unsure if he will provide one. Defence solicitor Brendan Kearney said that tensions had been high within the family after Ledgewood's father had taken ill. He added that Ledgewood has answered every question asked by police and had no convictions in ten years. Ciaran Ledgewood District Judge Conor Heaney described the charges as 'very serious' and denied bail. However, on July 10 Ledgewood was granted bail at the High Court and is listed to appear at Derry Magistrates Court on August 13. Ledgewood is the nephew of Tommy Donaghy who at the time of his murder was a Sinn Féin community worker in the Kilrea area of County Derry. His mother Mary Ledgewood Donaghy is the sister of Tommy Donaghy. Four years ago we reported how a shotgun found in the River Bann in 2021 was linked to his murder. The republican, who had been part of the blanket protest while jailed in the Maze for IRA offences, was shot several times in the head as he arrived for work at Portna Fisheries on Lough Neagh. Ciaran Ledgewood News in 90 Seconds - July 24th
