A woman in her 50s and a young boy were hospitalised following a dog attack in County Clare last weekend, according to Gardaí. The incident occurred at 10.55am on Saturday, 8 August, at O’Briensbridge.
Garda Response and Dog Warden Intervention at O’Briensbridge
Emergency services responded to the scene after the sheepdog attacked the woman on the road. According to a Garda spokesperson, officers faced attacks from the animal upon arrival and urgently contacted Clare County dog warden Frankie Coote for assistance. Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One programme, Coote described rushing to the location where the sheepdog had targeted the woman. The victim sustained serious injuries and was transported to the hospital. A young boy walking on the road was subsequently attacked by the same animal. The boy received treatment at the hospital, including a few stitches, and was released on the evening of the attack.
Assessment of the Sheepdog by Clare County Dog Warden
Coote characterized the sheepdog as “extremely vicious” and stated he had “no choice” but to sedate the animal. After securing the dog, Coote removed it from the scene and brought it to a vet, noting that it was the most savage dog he had encountered across any breed during his career. According to Coote, the animal had been chained at a property, a situation where struggling to break free can increase a dog’s aggression. He stated that the dog had “gone rogue” and expressed a belief that it was capable of killing an older person or a child if it had not been removed. Coote added that while any breed can display viciousness, the attack took place under “exceptional circumstances” that he had never previously witnessed.
Ongoing Garda Investigation Into the County Clare Incident
Gardaí confirmed that investigations into the Saturday morning attack remain ongoing.
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