‘Killer pitbull dog that mauled little Daisy to death will strike again’
Family fear a child could be victim of next savage attack
THE heartbroken owners of a Bichon Frise mauled to death by a pitbull fear the dog will attack again.
Mark and Tanya O’riordan, from Finglas in Dublin, have been left devastated by 13-year-old Daisy’s horrific experience.
The incident happened while Mark was walking her last Friday night in the Hampton Wood area.
Daisy, who was half deaf and half blind due to her age, was slowly “pottering” behind Mark when a chocolate brown-coloured pit bull type dog grabbed her by her neck.
Mark heard Daisy let out a horrendous screech while people nearby also screamed.
He said: “The pitbull-type dog – which was off the lead and had no muzzle on – had latched on to Daisy’s throat and it took five grown men to try and take the dog off our baby.
“Another person came out of their house and wedged a brush handle in the dog’s mouth to get it away.
“We managed to finally get Daisy from the dog but she was lifeless.
“A local came over and gave me their coat to wrap her in and said she was still breathing. The rest is a blur.”
He added a female was seen a short time later walking the dog.
Mark called the emergency number for Fox Vets in Finglas and the vet immediately opened up the clinic.
Mark said: “The vet did a quick examination and Daisy had a lot of puncture wounds to her neck.
“We were advised to bring her to UCD Veterinary Clinic where they cleaned her up but said she had a broken jaw, damage to veins and her carotid artery.
“They said they could operate but there was no guarantee she’d survive because of her age. So we had to make the heartbreaking decision.
“We have had Daisy since she was a puppy. We got her on Easter Sunday 13 years ago and she was our baby.
“Daisy was our everything. She slept in the bed with us and now she is gone in the most vicious way. We are completely heartbroken. Our home is empty without her.
“Daisy deserved to go with dignity and that dog and its owner took her last few years from us.
“We are thankful to those who came out of their homes and helped get the dog away from Daisy. Complete strangers but we are so grateful for their help.”
Mark said it’s possible the pitbull is local to the area and they want to highlight the attack to prevent someone else going through similar heartache.
He added: “This is a vicious dog and it will do more damage. Someone knows something.
“We are afraid it will happen again and a child could be attacked next. Hopefully we can prevent another loss of life.
“People with these dogs need to know and accept how dangerous they are and when outdoors, they must be muzzled, no exception.”
It took five grown men to try & take the dog off our baby MARK O’RIORDAN FINGLAS YESTERDAY