Legal action over dog attack

DERRY City Council is to instigate legal proceedings against an Eglinton dog-owner whose Japanese Akita/German Shepherd cross-breed viciously attacked a council officer resulting in arm and leg injuries requiring 28 stitches in April.

A meeting of the Council Environmental Services Committee last week agreed legal proceedings be instigated against the keeper of the animal under the Dogs (NI) Order 1983.

A report to the committee by the Chief Environmental Health Officer Philip O'Doherty outlined details of the attack at a dwelling in Glenrandel, Eglinton, on April 21, when a council dog warden called to collect the unwanted animal.

He advised the attack occurred as the owner was leading her dog towards the dog warden on a retractable lead.

"The dog warden indicates in a statement that the dog locked on to his left foot until his right knee was on the ground. After a period of time the dog warden indicates that whilst he was on the ground the dog let go of his left foot and made for his face/throat," he reported.

"The dog warden indicates that he raised his arms to protect himself and the dog sunk its teeth into his left forearm. During the attack the dog remained attached to the retractable lead which the owner still had possession of.

"The attack ended through the efforts of the owner pulling on the lead and dog warden pulling the other way. The attack took place in the front driveway/lawn of the dwelling at Glenrandel," he added.

The attack resulted in serious physical injuries and the dog warden required 23 stitches to his left arm and five to his foot and ankle.

The report also noted that the dog was licensed and there had been no history of complaint about the dog.

The owner was also said to have co-operated with the department after the attack and the dog was subsequently destroyed.

Notwithstanding this co-operation the committee unanimously approved a recommendation that legal proceedings be instigated against the keeper of the dog for the attack on the dog warden.

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