
Son issues plea as mother recovers from surgery following ‘horrific' Meath pit bull attack that killed ‘beloved' pet
THE SON of a woman who suffered leg injuries after she was bitten by a pit bull dog is appealing for witnesses to the incident.
The devil dog also mauled the woman's own pet dog to death during the attack.
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Pet dog 'Prince' tragically passed away after an attack on June 5
Credit: Louise Walsh
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The walker had two lacerations between 6 and 10cm long and punctures in her right leg following the attack that killed the beloved pet
Credit: Louise Walsh
The shocked mother is recovering from
The woman's son Eric, who didn't want his mother identified, said they are devastated over
Sadly, their ten year old Jack Russell 'Prince' died as a result of horrific injuries which left his intestine exposed.
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The attack occurred in a field at the back of
Eric said: "My mother was out walking with Prince when she met with a pitbull and its owner.
"Both dogs were off the lead and the pit bull was not wearing a muzzle.
"The pitbull started attacking Prince and my mother and the other owner tried to intervene.
Most read in Irish News
"The other owner managed to get his dog and my mother picked up Prince to save him but then the pitbull got away again and attacked my mother, biting her on the legs, until she fell.
"The pitbull then attacked Prince again until its owner managed to stop him again and told my mother to run."
Sister of dog attack victim Nicole Morey calls for stricter XL Bully laws
Prince underwent surgery and had 40 stitches to his abdomen and lower body at the veterinary clinic, but unfortunately didn't make it through the night.
Eric's mother received treatment at Our Lady's
He said: "She had two lacerations of between 6 to 10 cm long and punctures in her right leg. There were also bites on her left arm and lesser bites on her left leg.
"She needed multiple plastic surgeries and is very shaken and sad over the loss of Prince.
"I was with her at the vets, the hospital and Gardai and I'm finding it hard to sleep, thinking of what happened and what could have happened to my mother.
"I'd like to trace the owner and the dog and if anyone can help, please contact gardai at 046 9036370 or the garda confidential line on 1800 666111."
Gardai say they are aware of an alleged incident that took place in Navan, Co. Meath and inquiries are ongoing.
The Government brought in a
Anyone who owns one had to apply for a Certificate of Exemption, which is issued by the local authority.
It is also illegal to let a pit bull out in public without being under the control of the owner via a lead.
What is the new XL Bully ban?
HERE is everything you need to know about the new XL Bully ban in Ireland.
The XL Bully ban comes into force in two stages beginning on the October 1, 2024, with a full ownership ban from February 1 2025.
The period between these two dates will allow current XL Bully dog owners time to apply for a Certificate of Exemption from their local authority to permit them to keep their dog until the end of its natural life.
There will be no fee for the certificate of exemption.
Owners will be able to apply for a certificate of exemption from their local authority from 1st October subject to the dog being:
Licensed
Microchipped
Neutered
Certificates of Exemption
The Certificate of Exemption will be unique to each XL Bully type dog and owner.
It will specify the dog's licence details, microchip details, neutering details, age and description. It will also specify the dog owner's name, address, date of birth and contact number.
A Certificate of Exemption is issued by the Local Authority and authorises the owner of an XL Bully type dog to keep that dog at a particular premises until the natural end of the dog's life.
After February 1, 2025, all XL Bully type dog owners should either be in possession of a Certificate of Exemption or have proof that they applied for a Certificate of Exemption.
Owners must apply to their local authority after October 1, 2024.
No fee will be charged for a Certificate of Exemption.
Penalties for breaching the regulations
Any owner found to be in breach of the regulations will have committed an offence under the Control of Dogs Act 1986.
The dog may be seized and euthanized in a humane manner and the owner will be subject to the penalties outlined in that Act:
A fine of up to €2,500, or imprisonment of a term of up to 3 months, or both.
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The son of the walker has urged the public to come forward if they have information about the attack that killed Prince
Credit: Louise Walsh
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The pit bull attacked the woman and she fell to the ground
Credit: Alamy

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