Ireland Child injured in French Bulldog attack sues State over failure to prosecute owner
In December 2021 an infant boy was severely injured when a Bulldog attacked him at the home of his father's friend, where he was visiting with his father. A man was linked to the dog, but the sources disagree on whether he was its owner or was minding it for someone else. Gardaí said the attack was not a criminal matter because it happened on private property, and the council's €100 fine went unpaid and its summons was withdrawn. The DPP decided no charges should be brought. In April 2023 the child, through his mother, launched a judicial review in the High Court against the Garda, the county council and the attorney general, and a full hearing is expected in October.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- An infant boy suffered severe facial injuries in an attack by a Bulldog.
- Where
- The attack happened at the home of his father's friend, where the boy was visiting with his father.
- When
- The attack took place in December 2021.
- Cause
- The Control of Dogs Act 1986 says there is no obligation on a dog owner to keep the animal under control on private premises.
- Other details
- The infant required emergency plastic surgery and has been left with life-changing injuries that need ongoing medical care.
- The man told authorities he was minding the dog for someone else at the time, while the council treated him as the dog owner.
- Investigation
- The boy's mother complained to the local Garda station and was told it was not a criminal matter because the attack happened on private property.
- The council issued the dog owner a €100 fine, which went unpaid, and a summons was later withdrawn because it contained a mistake.
- The Garda sent a file to the DPP, which decided no charges should be brought, and the family was not informed.
- Charges
- The dog owner was not charged with any offence.
- In court
- The child, through his mother, launched a judicial review in the High Court against the Garda, the county council and the attorney general.
- A full hearing of the judicial review is expected in October.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAn infant suffered severe facial injuries in a vicious attack by a French Bulldog. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe infant was visiting the home of his father's friend when attacked. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe attack happened in December 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe Control of Dogs Act 1986 says there is no obligation on a dog owner to keep the animal under control on private premises. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe mother complained to her local Garda station and was told it was not a criminal matter because the attack was on private property. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe council issued the dog owner a €100 fine, which was not paid, and a summons was later withdrawn because it contained a mistake. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe Garda sent a file to the DPP, which decided no charges should be brought, and the family was not informed. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe child has launched a judicial review in the High Court against the Garda, the county council and the attorney general. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA full hearing is expected in October. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe infant required emergency plastic surgery. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe infant has been left with life-changing injuries needing ongoing medical care. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe man told authorities he was minding the dog for someone else at the time. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 18 Apr2023Child victim of bulldog attack sues over failure to prosecute owner
Reports a civil judicial review by the child, through his mother, over the failure to prosecute the dog owner; the attack was in December 2021 and the owner was not charged.
victim, infantsuspect, male