Woman injured in XL Bully dog attack in Wexford

A woman has been taken to hospital following a dog attack on Tuesday morning.

The woman aged in her 30s was attacked by an XL Bully at around 11am at a private residence in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.

She was taken to Wexford General Hospital for treatment, and her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Gardaí said they are investigating the incident.

The dog was seized by Wexford County Council’s dog warden.

The attack comes three days after a serious attack in Waterford, where two women were hospitalised after being attacked by the same breed of dog on Friday.

Following the Waterford attack, Sinn Féin councillor and animal rights based in Waterford City John Hearne said he will be bringing a motion before the council next month in order get the Government to fast-track legislation on the issue of dogs being classed as dangerous.

An earlier incident involving a young boy in Co Wexford, who was left with serious facial injuries last year when he was attacked by a similar dog, prompted calls for tougher laws, however, Cllr Hearne noted: “The Government promised a complete overhaul of legislation around dog controls and animal welfare but nothing has been published yet.

“This issue seems to be way down the line for them. I’m forever campaigning for Waterford City and County Council to do more around animal welfare and non of the authorities seem interested.”

Following the attack on the young boy in Wexford, the Government said it would add more breeds to the dangerous dogs list if necessary. Dog control in Ireland falls under the Departments of Agriculture, Rural Development and Housing and Local Government.

Commenting on the attack last year, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said: “What happened in Wexford was horrifying. We have to take every step we can to ensure that policy is being implemented and enforced and also if there is anything additional we can do, we assess what that is.”

Last Friday, Minister McConalogue was advised by the Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare that images of dogs like pugs, bulldogs and French bulldogs in advertising and marketing has contributed to the increased popularity of the breeds in Ireland.

The council believes advertisers, media organisations, social media influencers, manufacturers and retailers should refrain from using imagery of the dogs in the future.

The council was set up in 2021 to advise the Minister on animal welfare issues and includes representatives from the DSPCA, ISPCA, Irish Kennel Club, Dogs Trust, the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, the Irish Blue Cross, Veterinary Ireland and the department.

In the UK, the government has announced that XL Bully dogs will be added to the list of animals banned under the Dangerous Dog Act from the end of this year. Nine people in the UK have been injured in attacks involving XL Bullies so far this year.