German Shepherd bit woman out for a run

THE owner of a German Shepherd which set upon a runner in a secluded woods was ordered to pay €300 to the victim at Sligo District Court. Judge Kevin Kilrane said the woman, from the UK, was entitled to some compensation after the incident on January 11 th 2018. The court heard the owner, Dermot Hough, of Carrowdurneen, Skreen was with his 4-year-old son in Carrowcullen woods in Skreen, an area he frequently brought his son and dogs for a walk.

The German Shepherd was not on a lead and had no muzzle.

He was ahead of Mr Hough and beside his young son who was on a motorised trike. Sergeant Derek Butler told the court the woman alleged the German Shepard grabbed her arm and kept shaking it while growling and then grabbed her thigh. She was brought to hospital and had to receive dressings for the wound but no stitches were needed.

Mr Tom MacSharry, solicitor (defending) said it was a very unfortunate situation in that Mr Hough walked the area which was secluded numerous times with his young son. It was not an area frequented by runners.

After the incident, the dog, described as a valued pet, was put down which caused his son in particular a lot of grief as he had grown up with the dog.

He said Mr Hough wrote a letter of apology to the woman afterwards and understood he should have had control of the dog.

Judge Kilrane described it as a shocking experience for the woman to be attacked by a German Shepherd dog. Mr Hough explained that the dog was usually on a leash but because he was with his son he had no muzzle.

He told the judge as he was walking a bit behind his son at the time of the incident that he didn’t see the dog attack the woman. He said that he heard the dog barking and when he got there both him and the woman were in shock but that she didn’t say a lot to him and he then brought her in his van down the road.

The judge asked how many dogs he now has and he replied one German Shepherd.

Judge Kilrane said the victim was entitled to some compensation and ordered Mr Hough to give her €300 to cover any hospital fees.