Toddler death highlights dog dangers
Brendan Hughes, an inspector with the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), said problems with dogs classified as dangerous breeds were mainly caused by irresponsible ownership.
“We have concerns about the control of these dogs, the regulations require they be inspected, identified and continuously on a leash, and never with a person under the age of 16 or a person not capable of controlling the dog,” Mr Hughes said.
“The biggest concern we have with owners is irresponsible ownership. This is an accident that should never ever have happened because anybody who leaves any of these type of dogs unattended with a young person or with a child, really they are asking for trouble.”
A five-year-old girl died over the weekend after she was attacked by the dog at her grandmother’s house in Merseyside.
Ellie Lawrenson suffered severe head and neck injuries, while her grandmother needed emergency surgery for arm injuries. The animal, owned by Ellie’s uncle, was shot at the scene by police marksmen.
Breeds like the Pit Bull Terrier and Japanese tosa, which are banned in Northern Ireland, are restricted under the Control of Dogs Acts in the Republic.
“Ultimately we need to look much more closely at the regulation of dogs,” Mr Hughes said.
In the past six months the ISPCA has recorded six attacks by dogs on people or on other animals. The ISPCA said all incidents bar one involved restricted breeds including a German shepherd, two involving rottweilers, one involving a pit bull, one involving a Staffordshire terrier and the remaining one was a collie cross-breed.
The inspector revealed the number of animals of restricted breeds on the streets were increasing.
“The pit bull terriers and Staffordshires have in some quarters become the status for young gentlemen, men between the ages of 17 and 21 or 22,” he told RTÉ Radio.
Labour senator Mary Upton said insufficient regulation and poorly-resourced enforcement of dog laws mean a tragedy like Ellie Lawrenson’s death could easily happen here.
“That poor little girl was killed by a pit bull terrier, and despite the known dangers associated with certain breeds of dog, there is no restriction on owning or breeding such animals here,” Ms Upton said.
“We do have laws which require all dogs to be licensed and for particular breeds to be muzzled, but enforcement of these laws leaves a lot to be desired.
“Our dog laws need to be tightened up. In particular we should be looking to impose an outright ban on certain breeds.
“It’s only a matter of time before tragedy strikes unless action is taken.”
