A toddler, one year of age, is currently under medical care in a hospital after enduring an assault by an XL Bully canine. This event transpired within the secluded boundaries of Lixnaw, a village in north Kerry, last Saturday evening. The exact circumstances surrounding the dog attack remain unclear, causing gardaí to launch an investigation into the incident. They verified that the offending dog has been euthanised by local vets following the ordeal.
The spokesperson mentioned that a young girl has been seriously wounded as a result of the aggressive dog incident, and she’s currently hospitalised at Cork University Hospital. This incident only truly garnered widespread attention on Monday, following local radio reports.
Reflecting the sentiments of many in the local community, Listowel councillor Liam Nolan expressed condolences towards the girl and her family. He also noted the tragic nature of the incident and made reassurances of community support for the family.
The continued occurrence of these dangerous incidents fuels intensifying scrutiny and debate surrounding the notoriously aggressive XL Bully breed, which is on the cusp of being legally banned. A notable instance of such violent behaviour occurred in June when a Limerick city resident, Nicole Lisa Marie Morey (23 years old), was fatally attacked by her own dogs – among them an XL Bully – upon returning to her Fedamore home.
In another high-profile case, 10-year-old Alejandro Mizsan from County Wexford sustained severe facial injuries from a similar attack back in 2022.
In view of such brutal occurrences, Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys revealed her plans in July to implement a ban on the breed. Heather recognised her decision may bear unpopularity among dog owners, but she underscored the priority of human life above a dog’s.
With effect from this October, actions like breeding, reselling, rehoming, and importing XL bully dogs will be outlawed. Subsequent rules arriving in February next year would only allow keeping of the canine breed if owners hold an exemption certificate, which would be issued against demonstrable evidence of licensing, microchipping and neutering the dog.