The relative of a woman who was killed by her own dogs, including one XL bully, has stated that the newly imposed restrictions on the breed are not sufficient protection, and fears more victims may fall prey to such attacks. Nicole Morey, a 23-year-old from Limerick city, tragically lost her life in June following an incident at home after celebrating her birthday.
In response to Morey’s case and other incidents involving the XL breed, new regulations came into effect on Tuesday. These laws impose a ban on breeding, buying or importing the XL bully-type dogs. Although, the prohibition on rehoming these dogs has been delayed until next February. At this point, existing owners will need to secure a certificate of exemption to retain their pets.
Jolene Morey, Nicole’s younger sister, expressed her concern about the laws in an interview on RTE’s Upfront With Katie Hannon on Monday evening, stating the provisions are lacking in severity.
“I advocate for a stricter law. These are hazardous dogs, not innocent puppies. People cannot just toy with them; their demeanour can change in an instant,” Jolene commented.
She conveyed her family’s continued confusion over the actual events of the night her sister was killed. Jolene highlighted that they received unsettling video footage from Nicole’s home in the immediate aftermath of the incident. She also stated their desire for Nicole to be remembered as more than just a victim of a dog attack.
“The dogs adored Nicole, yet they turned on her abruptly. While people may have close bonds with their dogs, it’s important to remember that these animals can unpredictably become dangerous,” she added.