Irishman died after ‘blood loss’

A PATHOLOGIST who carried out a postmortem on Irishman Maurice Sullivan has said he died after massive blood loss caused by more than 50 dog bites.

The 50-year-old from Co Galway died on Sunday on the Malaysian island of Penang, where he had been travelling with his 29-year-old Polish girlfriend, Agnieszka Jablonska.

The couple had visited a farm in Teluk Bahang on the island on Saturday, when it’s understood they offered to volunteer their work in return for bed and board.

They returned to the farm on Sunday to take photographs of the exotic durian trees in the farm’s orchard, only for Mr Sullivan to be attacked by two dogs.

Ms Jablonska, who was some distance away from Mr Sullivan when the dogs attacked, called for help, but it is believed Mr Sullivan died at the scene.

Pathologist Datuk Dr Bhupinder Singh from Penang Hospital’s Department of Forensic Medicine was quoted as saying Mr Sullivan had received more than 50 bites to the face, head and body.

“One of his ears had been found at the scene of the incident and the search is still on for the other,” he said, adding that there were also laceration wounds on Mr Sullivan’s jaw and neck.

Police investigating Mr Sullivan’s death took statements from the dog owner, 41-year-old Joseph Teoh and his wife, Beatrice.

It is understood the incident is being investigated under Section 289 of the local Penal Code for negligence that results in grievous hurt or death, an offence which carries a possible jail term of up to six months or a fine, or both.

The dogs are reportedly under observation for the next 10 days to see whether they have any diseases.