Girl gets €150k over Rottweiler attack

A girl who was “thrown around like a rag doll” by a Rottweiler, and suffered injuries to her arm which left her with significant scarring, has settled her High Court action for €150,000.

Lauren Kelly was nine when the dog mauled her on the public road as she went Hunting the Wren on December 26, 2011.

Mr Justice Kevin Cross was told that Lauren’s mother, Marcella Kelly, ran to her daughter’s assistance and threw herself on top of the child in an effort to protect her, but the attack continued.

Through her father, Michael Kelly, of Abbey Court, Abbeylara, Co Longford, Lauren sued William Crawford, of Cloonaghmore, Abbeylara, Co Longford, the owner of the Rottweiler.

It was claimed the dog was allowed to escape or to stray on to the public road in circumstances where he attacked Lauren.

It was further claimed that no steps were taken to ensure the dog could not escape by jumping a wall. The claims were denied.

Lauren was taken to hospital with 26 puncture wounds and multiple injuries to her right upper arm from the base of her neck and down her shoulder.

She had to have skin grafts and has more than 20 scars on her right arm. She also has to wear a medical sleeve when swimming.

“It was a horrific attack by a vicious dog,” counsel Willie Penrose told Mr Justice Kevin Cross. “She was thrown around like a rag doll and had to spend a month in hospital.

Mr Penrose said Lauren’s mother and friends managed to pull her away from the dog, but that she had nightmares and a bout of sleep- walking after the incident.

“She has a small fear of large dogs now,” said Mr Penrose.

Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Cross said that Lauren had been left with significant scarring and was seriously traumatised by the incident.