Man attacked animal officer over ‘confiscated dog’

A MISTAKEN belief that Clare’s animal welfare officer had confiscated a pedigree dog led an Ennis man to carry out an “unprovoked and frightening” roadside attack.

Ennis District Court yesterday heard how ISPCA officer Frank Coote was assaulted by Patrick Doherty, 31, of Ballaghboy, Quin Road, Ennis, last December.

Mr Coote was driving through Ennis at around 2.30pm when Doherty waved him down and subjected him to what Garda Inspector John Galvin called “an unprovoked and frightening assault”.