Cork man whose Jack Russell bit woman, who required stitches, ordered to pay more compensation

The incident occurred in Marina Market when the woman was trying to defend her own dog from attack by the Jack Russell, court heard

Woman was told in hospital the bite was so deep it required stitches, court heard. File picture

A little Jack Russell-type dog bit a young woman on the leg as she tried to defend her own dog from attack at the Marina Market, and now the owner has been warned he will have to pay more compensation to her.

Radim Hradsky, of Lower Glanmire Road, Cork, pleaded guilty at Cork District Court to failing to have his dog under effectual control and not having a dog licence.

He was to bring €600 to court to pay for the injured woman’s medical bills and other expenses. However, Killian McCarthy, solicitor, said the accused was now homeless and had only raised €300.

Judge Mary Dorgan said this was not good enough. “If you own a dog you have to have a licence. If you own a dog you have to have a lead. This lady is not going to be out of pocket. 

"The dog is obviously quite vicious — that this type of injury was inflicted with huge repercussions for the injured party. I want this compensation paid.” 

The judge adjourned sentencing until November 18 for the remaining €300 to be brought to court by Mr Hradsky.

Judge Dorgan asked: “Is the dog still in the land of the living?” Mr McCarthy said the defendant had arranged through an animal charity to have the dog re-homed.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis outlined the background to the incident.

“On the May 29, 2023, Garda Seán Finnegan responded to a report from a female having been bit by a loose dog at the Marina Market, Centre Park Road, Cork. 

On arrival at the scene, Garda Finnegan spoke with the young woman, who said she was bitten by a Jack Russell-type terrier dog. She had visible bite injuries to her right calf. These injuries required her to have stitches at the Mercy Hospital.

The unleashed dog growled at her dog and the injured party stepped forward to prevent her dog being attacked.

“Garda Finnegan patrolled the area and located the alleged offender [Radim Hradsky] and the offending dog in Kennedy Park a short distance from the Marina Market. Radim Hradsky provided Garda Finnegan with his personal details, including his address. He declined the opportunity to make a statement, stating that his English was not good enough.

“CCTV was of poor quality but it captured an interaction between two dogs,” Sgt Davis said.

In a victim impact statement, the woman who is in her mid-20s, described herself as an animal lover who did not want to see any harm coming to the dog and did not blame the dog.

“I blame the irresponsible owner and his lack of care,” she said.

The injured party said it was explained to her in hospital that bite wounds are often not stitched so the risk of infection could be avoided. 

However, she was told that it had to be stitched because it was so deep, and this required a number of follow-up visits to her doctor to make sure there was no infection.