A 12-month-old baby girl has undergone surgery at Cork University Hospital (CUH) after being viciously attacked by what is believed to be an XL bully dog in North Kerry. The attack took place in the village of Lixnaw on Saturday evening. The child was rushed to CUH and underwent an operation. The dog has since been destroyed by local vets. The infant was 'seriously injured'.
The child remains at CUH where she continues to receive treatment. The child, aged 12 months, suffered serious injuries in the horror attack. It's understood the baby was attacked by the animal in the family home near Lixnaw on Saturday evening.
Emergency services attended the scene and the baby was immediately taken to hospital where she continues to recover from her injuries. Sources said the baby girl was attacked by a dog that turned on her in the family home.
Gardaí confirmed to The Kerryman they had been made aware of the incident on Saturday evening, in which the baby was seriously injured. Gardai said they were aware of the incident and said the dog had now been destroyed.
The baby is currently receiving treatment at Cork University Hospital. The dog has since been destroyed. A spokesman said: "Gardai were made aware of an incident that occurred in Lixnaw, Co. Kerry on the evening of Saturday 17th August, 2024."
It is the second serious dog attack on a person in Kerry in the last six months. "A child was seriously injured following a dog attack. She is currently receiving treatment at Cork University Hospital. The dog has since been destroyed by local veterinary services. Investigations are ongoing."
Government Bans XL Bully Dogs
In July the Government announced its intentions to ban XL Bully dogs after a spate of attacks. This latest XL bully episode comes after what the Government described as ‘deeply concerning incidents’ in recent times, including the mauling to death of Nicole Morey earlier this year and the savage attack on a young boy, Alejandro Mizsan, in Co. Wexford in 2022.
The ban, announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys, will come into effect in two phases one in October and one in February next year. From October 1, it will be illegal to breed, sell, rehome or import XL Bully dogs into the Republic. The second phase will be introduced on February 1, 2025 and will see a ban on owning an XL Bully dog - unless the owner has a Certificate of Exemption. The two-stage ban on XL bully ownership is being brought in following consultation with the Attorney General.
A Recent History of Dog Attacks in Ireland
In June Nicole Morey was killed during an attack by an XL Bully in Limerick - while two Cork city residents were rushed to hospital later that same week following a dog attack in Ballyphehane. Ms Morey, 23, died after she was attacked by her dogs in the Fedamore area of Co. Limerick in June of this year. Investigators believe that Ms Morey was returning from celebrating her 23rd birthday when she opened her front door and was mauled by an XL bully dog. Another dog, understood to be a Staffordshire terrier, also joined in attacking the woman. After gardaí were alerted, armed officers shot dead one of the dogs and took control of three others. The harrowing incident was captured by CCTV.
In November 2022 then-nine-year-old Alejandro Mizsan received injuries to his face, body and legs in an attack by an XL Bully. In March this year a man and a woman were jailed in connection with that attack. Currently, Ireland does not ban any other breed of dog, but there are 11 restricted breeds. Those animals on the list are required to be kept on a short lead and wear a muzzle while in public places.
The XL Bully Ban: What You Need to Know
From October 1 of this year, there will be a ban on the breeding, rehoming, reselling and importing of XL bully dogs. A full ban on owning them will then come into force from February 1 next year unless the animal’s owner can secure a ‘certificate of exemption’. This certificate will only be issued to owners who can prove that their XL bully breed of dog has a dog licence, and is microchipped and neutered. Speaking at the time of the announcement of the ban, Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys said: ‘I know some people will not like hearing this today. They will tell me that they own an XL bully and it would never hurt anybody. I can’t ignore the facts. We all love our dogs but no dog’s life is worth more than human life. I believe we need to go further [than restricted breeds].’
What's Next?
The ban on XL bully dogs is a significant step forward in protecting people from dangerous dogs. However, it is important to remember that all dogs have the potential to be dangerous if they are not properly trained and socialized. The Irish government has promised to work with dog owners to ensure that all dogs are safe and well-behaved. The attack in Kerry is a reminder that dog attacks can happen anywhere, and that it is important to be aware of the risks. If you are concerned about a dog, you should contact your local Garda station. It’s a worrying time for pet owners with XL Bully dogs. It’s important to remember that all dog breeds have the potential to be dangerous. This incident serves as a reminder to be vigilant about your pets and ensure they are trained, socialized and registered with the authorities.
