Ireland Dog owner fined after Malinois bites garda during drug search in Dublin
On 28 June 2025, during a Coolock drug unit operation in Dublin, an unmuzzled Belgian Malinois dog bit garda Gary Tuohy on the face while he searched for a suspected drug dealer. The dog's owner, Adam Caulfield, 27, was charged with two counts of breaching the Control of Dogs Act and pleaded not guilty. He was convicted of one count at Dublin District Court, fined €1,000 and given a two-month sentence with the final month suspended, and was acquitted of a charge relating to an attack on an elderly woman at his home. The case was reported in April 2026, and a hearing on a prosecution request for a destruction order for the dog is scheduled for 2 July.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced1 Apr
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Victim Gary Tuohy, a garda, was bitten on the face by an unmuzzled Belgian Malinois dog.
- The garda suffered facial injuries, and the accused, Adam Caulfield, suffered a broken finger.
- Where
- The garda was searching for a suspected drug dealer in Dublin.
- When
- The incident happened on 28 June 2025 during a Coolock drug unit operation.
- Cause
- The dog jumped out of a gate after the accused let go of it and bit the garda's face.
- Charges
- Adam Caulfield, 27, pleaded not guilty to two counts of breaching the Control of Dogs Act.
- In court
- The case was heard in Dublin District Court, where the judge found the accused knew of the dog's vicious propensity.
- Adam Caulfield was convicted of one count and acquitted of a charge relating to an attack on an elderly woman at his home.
- Adam Caulfield was released on appeal bail.
- Sentence
- Adam Caulfield was fined €1,000 and given a two-month sentence with the final month suspended.
- Other details
- The sentencing was reported on 1 April 2026 in one version and on 28 April 2026 in another.
- A hearing is scheduled for 2 July on a prosecution request for a destruction order for the dog.
- Adam Caulfield has paid €7,000 in upkeep costs for the dog and wants it returned.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA garda was bitten on the face by an unmuzzled Belgian Malinois dog. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe garda suffered injuries to his face and the accused suffered a broken finger. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe garda was searching for a suspected drug dealer in Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe garda was part of a Coolock drug unit operation on 28 June 2025. (thejournal.ie)
- causeThe dog jumped out of the gate after the accused let go of it and bit the garda's face. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe accused pleaded not guilty to two counts of breaching the Control of Dogs Act but was convicted of one. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge found the accused knew of the dog's vicious propensity. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe accused was acquitted of a charge relating to an attack on an elderly woman at his home. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe accused was released after lodging appeal bail. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe accused was fined €1,000 and given a two-month sentence with the final month suspended. (thejournal.ie)
- otherA further hearing is scheduled for 2 July on a prosecution request for a destruction order for the dog. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe accused has paid €7,000 in upkeep costs for the dog and wants it returned. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Apr2026Garda bitten on the face by 'vicious' Belgian Malinois while searching for suspected drug dealer
Reports the Dublin District Court conviction, sentence, acquittal on the second charge, appeal bail, and a 2 July hearing on a destruction order for the dog.
convicted, Adam Caulfield, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Adam Caulfieldvictim, Gary Tuohy, male, irish (judged from name)Gary Tuohyvictim, female