Gran mauled to death by son’s two bullmastiffs in his garden

Pensioner killed after she called to visit family

A GRANDMOTHER was mauled to death by two bullmastiff dogs in her son’s back garden, the Daily Mirror has learned.

Teresa Mcdonagh, 64, had called to Martin Mcdonagh’s home where he lives with his wife and kids but nobody was in. It’s understood she opened the gates and tried knock on the back door on Sunday afternoon but was set upon by the animals. It’s thought a neighbour shot the raging dogs dead to enable the emergency services to attend the scene in Knockarasser, Moycullen, Co Galway. A local source said: “She called to the door but there was no answer so she went through the garden gates. “The dogs must have thought she was an intruder and went for her. God knows what state she was in when they found her. Once these dogs get a taste for blood they don’t stop.” Mrs Mcdonagh was a dog owner herself and often walked her Jack Russel around the area. A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, added: “It’s such an awful thing to happen to a lovely family.” Ms Mcdonagh suffered horrific injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her remains were taken University Hospital Galway for a postmortem. Gardai are investigating if the dogs may have escaped from a shed before attacking the woman. Local Fianna Fail councillor Noel Thomas said the small community is horrified. He added: “Everyone is shocked. It is a hugely upsetting tragedy for the family and I would like to extend my sympathies to the family at this terrible time. “They are well-known in the community and well-respected.” Yesterday, calls were made from dog behaviour experts for legislation to be urgently updated and an awareness campaign to be launched on dog handling. Bullmastiffs are listed in the 1998 Control of Dogs Act, which means they must be securely muzzled in public places but there are no restrictions on private property. Gardai said in a statement on Sunday: “We are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman in Galway this afternoon.” Officers in Salthill are investigating the incident and are treating her death as a tragic accident. Ms Mcdonagh was well known in the Moycullen area. Neighbours supported her and husband Eddie when her other son Brendan – a promising jockey – lost his foot in a motorbike accident in Thailand in 2015. news@irishmirror.ie

God knows what state she was in. When those dogs taste blood, they don’t stop SOURCE MOYCULLEN, CO GALWAY, YESTERDAY

HORRIFIC INJURIES Teresa Mcdonagh was pronounced dead at the scene LETHAL Mastiffs are included in dangerous dog law