No more children should suffer devil dog attacks, they are traumatising & rules should be enforced, says FF Senator
THE savage dog attack on little Alejandro Miszan this week shocked the country.
The nine-year-old boy was left with life-changing facial injuries when he was set upon in Co Wexford.
The animal involved was a Pit bull or Pit bull cross and was put down later that evening.
The attack has led to renewed calls for proper enforcement of restricted dog breed legislation — and even for certain breeds to be banned.
Writing in The Irish Sun on Sunday today, Fianna Fail Senator MALCOLM BYRNE says the life of a child is far more important than the right to own a dangerous dog.
LAST weekend, Alejandro Miszan, a nine-year-old boy was doing what nine-year-old boys do — out playing with his friends.
In a matter of moments, he was attacked by an unmuzzled Pit bull and was left with injuries that are life-changing.
His family are traumatised by what has happened — and such a horrific event also impacts gravely on those who had to witness it at the time.
Much praise must go to the Coast Guard who airlifted Alejandro to Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin and to the staff there who treated him and continue to care for him.
Sadly, this is not the only case in recent times where a dog has attacked a young child and left them with life-changing injuries.
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It is reported that between 2016 and 2021, there have been at least 1,700 attacks by dogs on humans.
We also know that other animals have been targeted by dogs, with over 1,350 reported incidents of livestock being attacked in the same period.
The law in this area is quite clear — although it is dated. The Control of Dogs Act is from 1986 and Regulations brought in under this Act in 1998 place particular restrictions on 11 different breeds.
There are requirements that these animals must be muzzled in public and that they should be held on a strong lead at all times by somebody over the age of 16.
DOG ENFORCEMENT WORRIES
There are clearly problems with enforcement. Dog wardens can’t be everywhere and dogs are regularly to be found off their leads in our parks, on beaches and in our communities.
It is the responsibility of the dog owner to look after their dog. There are many responsible owners who do follow the law.
But there continues to be a problem with certain breeds of dog, and the risk of those dogs causing harm is far too great to not seek further restrictions or even a ban on some breeds.
Under the Control of Dogs (Restriction of Certain Dogs) Regulations, the following breeds are restricted in Ireland: American Pit Bull Terrier; Bulldog; Bull Mastiff; Doberman Pinscher; English Bull Terrier; German Shepherd (Alsatian); Japanese Akita; Japanese Tosa; Rhodesian Ridgeback Rottweiler; Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
POTENTIAL PET DANGER
The legislation also restricts every breed commonly known as a Bandog and all strains and crosses of the breeds on the restricted list.
There are reasons that we don’t allow certain animals to be pets, primarily because of the potential danger that they can pose.
I get the argument that the fault lies with the dog owner, but that will not reverse the life-changing impact that an attack from a dangerous breed of dog can cause. Do we really want to take that risk?
We now need to review the law and hear from veterinary and animal welfare experts and to examine the data on dog attacks.
NO MORE KIDS AT RISK PRIORITISED
The outcome of this review may very well see a ban on dangerous breeds. There is the complexity of where there has been cross-breeding and this will need to be considered.
The key purpose of the review though must be to ensure that the most vulnerable and innocent in our society are safe.
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I hope that Alejandro and his family can come through this as well as they can.
We have an obligation to ensure that no other child is put at risk.
