A horrifying dog attack in Limerick left eight-year-old Jackson Flynn, son of 58-year-old Joe Flynn, with 30 facial stitches. Jackson was brutally bitten by a dog last Wednesday, 29th May on his face, which left him horrifyingly disfigured. His father Joe says the boy’s survival was a stroke of luck considering how his head was viciously held in the dog’s mouth.
Joe came forward about his son’s ordeal, following the tragic death of Nicole Morey aged 23, who was killed by her own dogs just the previous Tuesday. The aim was to alert the public to adopt a cautious approach concerning any breed of dog.
The dog was not large or a listed dangerous breed, according to Joe. However, the terrier, responsible for his son’s facial injuries, still inflicted severe harm. The incident has reportedly traumatized Jackson and his six-year-old sister, both witnesses of the gruesome attack that took place in People’s Park, Limerick City.
The Flynn family enjoyed their visits to the People’s Park, appreciating the excellent staff and park rangers. Like most boys his age, Jackson loved dogs and often tried to pet these animals. Little did they know this harmless strolling in the park would turn into a dreadful memory. Jackson was savagely bitten by a leash-less black terrier when he tried to pet it.
The grateful father believes the incident could’ve been more tragic if the dog had bitten his son’s neck, possibly causing him to bleed out. Following the gruesome incident, Jackson was treated at the University Hospital Limerick, where he underwent reconstructive facial surgery. The violence ended when the dog released its grip and ran off.
“We endured a dreadful scare; it was a distressing episode. My daughter was wailing, my children are very wary of dogs now.”
“The dog was roaming freely without a leash. The personnel at the (park) mentioned there’s a perennial issue there with folks not securing their dogs with a leash.”
“How fortunate were we? One can only pray that the next family are just as fortunate because a similar incident could very likely happen again.”
Mr. Flynn expressed his gratitude towards the staff at the University Hospital in Limerick for their impressive response and their care for his son.
“I need to draw attention to the assistance we received from the hospital. Despite the well-known issues with overcrowding, they attended to my son promptly and effectively.”
“The poor lad had to have 30 stitches, he’s clearly still in discomfort. He once had a fondness for dogs but now he finds the very thought of them distressing.”
Mr Flynn addressed fellow parents, “Keep your child away from dogs, as their behavior can be unpredictable. Be cautious.”
When asked about the possibility of banning specific breeds from Ireland, he expressed that it would be more beneficial if there was more focus on educating owners on how to handle their dogs.
In other news, authorities at Roxboro Road, Limerick are actively seeking any information pertaining to the dog attack incident involving Ms Morey.
Upon arriving at Ms Morey’s residence in Fedamore late Tuesday night, they were met with the hostility of four aggressive dogs. A member from the armed Garda Emergency Response Unit (ERU) had to discharge his firearm at one of the dogs while the rest were restrained.
It is presumed that Ms Morey was killed by her XL Bully pet dog. Videos have been found online showing her engaged in playful activities with a similar breed of dog, and according to the statements of friends and family, she cared for her dogs as if they were her own children.
A vigil is due to be held in Ms Morey’s memory and the skies will be adorned with released balloons this Thursday evening.
On Wednesday, the Gardaí appealed to the public requesting that they refrain from circulating the video of the fatal dog attack, recorded on a security camera, across social media platforms.
A published obituary online recently revealed that Ms Morey from Bawnmmore View, Crossagalla, in Limerick City, had sadly passed away, preceding her grandparents Patrick O’Donnell Senior and Marie Morey. She is mourned by her parents, Lisa and Patrick, her step-relations Joseph and Nicola, as well as her siblings, extended family and friends. A postmortem investigation was set to be taken on the body of Ms Morey at UHL.
The local officials of Limerick City and County Coroner’s office were alerted by the Gardaí to schedule an inquest hearing with the aim of determining the root cause of Ms Morey’s demise.