Tánaiste calls for tougher dog regulation following baby's fatal mauling by family pet

Comprehensive review of legislation relating to control of dogs needed, Martin says, following inquest into 'harrowing, shocking' death of four-month-old girl

Baby Mia O'Connell was killed in her bed by a family pet in Waterford in 2021. 

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has described the death of a four-month-old baby girl who was fatally mauled by a dog as a harrowing and shocking case.

An inquest in Cork city heard yesterday how baby Mia O'Connell was killed in her bed by a family pet in Waterford in 2021. 

She was found by her aunt, on the floor with severe head injuries, and the dog standing nearby with blood on its face.

Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster said the cause of death was severe traumatic brain injury consistent with a dog attack.

Mr Martin said there is a need for “tougher regulation” and a comprehensive review of legislation relating to the control of dogs.

He envisages tougher laws both in terms of certain animal types and in respect of the owners of dogs.

“I think that's a harrowing case, shocking," he said. “Our hearts go out to the family."

Mr Martin said new regulations would be forthcoming, adding: “The minister of agriculture is working on it with other ministers on a cross-government approach to this issue."

However, he stressed that any new regulations will have to balance protecting people from dangerous dogs and ensuring that owners fulfil their responsibilities.

We need not just stronger legislation but enforcement of legislation in respect of how people behave.

“We all walk in parks where people don’t have their dogs on leads and so on," he said. "But I do think there is a need for a comprehensive review of this legislation around this and the working group is working on that.

“I do envisage tougher legislation both in terms of certain animal types, in my personal view, and in respect of the owners of dogs,” Mr Martin said.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said any new regulations will have to balance protecting people from dangerous dogs and ensuring that owners fulfil their responsibilities. Picture: Brian Lawless

Justice Minister Simon Harris said the case of Mia O’Connell is “the most harrowing, heartbreaking situation".

“The Tánaiste is exactly right, there are two parts to this. There is the review of the legislation and making sure we have robust, modern, fit-for-purpose legislation.

“Secondly, and as importantly, there's the enforcement of existing legislation, where those enforcement powers lie and different parts of the State work together in relation to that.” 

He said this work is being led by Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue and Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys and that his department and An Garda Síochána “will participate in full so that we end up with modern, robust legislation".