A judge has criticised a dog-owner for choosing to hold onto a dog which bit an eight-year-old schoolboy.
According to The Journal, Circuit Court President Mr. Justice Raymond Groarke described the outcome as “most regretful”, and said that the owner had not “done the proper, decent thing".
Eight-year-old Milo O’Brien was bitten on the leg by the German Shepherd dog after he knocked on the door of its owner, Stephen Collier. His own dog was missing, and he was enquiring if Mr. Collier had seen it. When the door was opened to Milo, the German Shepherd lunged from behind the door and bit him.
A medical report revealed evidence of teeth marks on the boy’s left shin, puncture wounds, and superficial laceration consistent with the bite of a dog, according to The Irish Independent. Milo’s solicitor said the eight-year-old had been left with two small scars.
Judge Groarke, having been told that the dog was known to have bitten someone else before, also criticised the authorities for not implementing the Control of Dogs Act.
However, a contractor for the dog warden explained that they were unable to do anything in this case, as the dog was on private property.
The judge accepted his explanation but expressed grave concerns about seeing “dangerous dogs unmuzzled and off lead", on the streets.
Milo’s mother, Anne O’Brien, said her son was still fearful of dogs and said a medical assessment could not determine if he would ever re-engage with dogs. She said the dog was still living next-door to her family.
Mrs. O’Brien sued her neighbour, Stephen Collier, from Knocknagin Road, Balbriggan, on behalf of her son.
During an earlier hearing, Judge Groarke criticised the State, local authorities, and dog wardens; and asked how the dog could be controlled more effectively.
After the earlier hearing, when approving an Alliance Assurance company settlement offer of €25,000 for Milo, Judge Groarke said he would “hold on to the case for a fortnight”, to see what could be done.
He said he was “concerned that there is a degree of pain and suffering continuing for this young lad because the dog continues to live near him".
Upon hearing that no action would be taken by the owner, he concluded the case.
Judge Groarke approved of the €25,000 offer, and allowed a €500 payment out to be used for Milo’s benefit.
