Owner of dog which attacked jogger is fined

THE owner of a dog which attacked a jogger on Kilpatrick Beach produced €300 at Gorey District Court for the injured party.

David Keaveney (41) of Kilpatrick, Castletown admitted having an uncontrolled ‘cross-breed terrier’ on the beach in July of last year.

The woman who was running on the strand on the evening in question was not present in court.

However, Judge John Cheatle had the benefit of photos which showed bruising to her body.

Summarising the evidence, Sergeant Victor Isdell said her back had been scratched when the dog jumped all over her. It was not on a lead at the time.

The defendant was described by solicitor Tom Honan as a single man who lives on his own.

Mr Honan suggested that the location was remote and no one else was present when Keaveney went for a walk with his dogs.

The offending animal was a rescue dog which he had for only a few months before the incident which landed him before the court.

It was one and a half years old at the time and playful.

An apology was offered to the runner via the gardaí but it had not been accepted, Mr Honan noted.

She was the only other person on the beach at the time, he added.

The judge suggested that a gesture of goodwill in the form of €300 might be appropriate.

The money was tendered before the conclusion of the court sitting and the prosecution was then formally struck out.