Young boy awarded €20,000 after vicious dog attack

A young boy who was attacked by a Jack Russell dog while out playing on his bike has been awarded €20,000 in compensation.

The boy and his parents appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court where the Infant Ruling was heard by Judge John Aylmer.

The court was told that the boy was aged 8 at the time of the incident in June 2018. He was cycling with friends in the Burtonport area when he was set upon by the dog.

The boy suffered bite marks on his left arm and also scratches on his back.

The boy was treated by a local doctor for soft tissue injuries but there was no serious scarring.

Mr Sean McGee BL, barrister for the young boy, who is now aged 13, said the victim had suffered psychological issues as a result of the dog attack.

He became anxious and would not go outdoors as much as he developed a fear of dogs which caused him to hyperventilate and also vomit on occasions.

His fear of dogs extended to include the family’s two pet dogs and he even missed going out trick or treating with his friends at Halloween for fear of coming across dogs on the street.

Although six sessions of counselling had been recommended for the boy, Mr McGee told the court that they had not been taken up.

He added that the boy’s father had taken it upon himself to get the boy “out and about” again.

Mr McGee added that having met with the boy’s parents again, he said the offer of €20,000 was a “fair enough assessment.”

Judge Aylmer queried who was being sued in the case.

He was told the dog was owned by a local man and he was covered by insurance.

Judge John Aylmer said the offer was reasonable in all the circumstances and told Mr McGee he was entitled to his costs.