EXCLUSIVE
A man on his way home from a night out in Killarney was set upon and viciously attacked by a loose German Shepherd dog late last Monday night.
The terrifying incident happened on the approach to Bishop Moynihan Crescent from the High Street car park – near the pathway to the library – after midnight.
The out-of-control Alsatian, who was unaccompanied, jumped on, knocked and bit the man several times but the victim eventually managed to strike out at the dog’s head and escaped.
The man, aged in his 50s, had to be treated at the SouthDoc emergency medical service and received a tetanus shot and a course of antibiotics to prevent his wounds becoming infected.
There was nobody with the dog at the time and efforts to identify the owner are underway. The county dog warden was notified and is conducting an investigation into the matter.
The residents’ committee in the Kilcoolaght area – which includes Bishop Moynihan Crescent, Marian Terrace, Dalton’s Avenue, St Brendan’s Place and O’Kelly’s Villas – has issued a warning to householders in the area to be on their guard in case of similar attacks.
“The dog was unattended, growled and jumped for the man’s throat,” the warning stated.
“The man was knocked over and bitten multiple times but he eventually got free when he punched the dog and ran,” it added.
Describing the incident as traumatising, the residents’ committee said if it happened to a child or a more frail person, who couldn’t respond so quickly, it could have resulted in something much more serious.
Identified as being potentially dangerous, German Shepherds are a restricted breed and must be on a short lead and securely muzzled when in public. The breed has to wear a collar at all times with the contact information for the owmers attached.
Anybody with any information that could be of assistance is asked to contact An Garda Siochána or the Kerry County Council dog warden’s office.
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