Gardaí forced to shoot pit bull terrier that attacked people in Cork
A dog which had attacked two people at a house in a Cork City suburb was shot dead by armed gardaí on Thursday evening.
The incident happened in Ballyphehane at around 5.20pm when the dog – a pit bull terrier – attacked two people at a premises in the Connolly Road area.
It is understood that the dog first attacked a woman as she walked towards the rear of the property, before attacking a man who had come to the woman's aid.
Upon arriving at the scene, Togher gardaí and the Armed Response Unit (ARU) engaged with the animal’s owner and, after a number of unsuccessful attempts to sedate it, the decision was made for the ARU shoot the dog. The animal was subsequently euthanized by a local vet.
The man and a woman who were attacked were taken to Cork University Hospital for medical assessment and treatment. The extent of their injures is not known at this time.
They are believed to be the dog's owners.
Pit bull terriers are one of 11 breeds of dogs on the Restricted Breed List (RBL).
Thursday's incident was the second this week in which a dog had to be shot after attacking someone.
On Tuesday, 23-year-old Nicole O'Donnell Morey died after being attacked by a dog at her home in Ballyneety, Co Limerick.
Ms O'Donnell Morey, a Limerick City native, had been celebrating her birthday in the hours before the incident.
After arriving on the scene, gardaí said they encountered “a number of aggressive dogs”.
The main dog involved in the attack, understood to have been an XL bully, was shot by gardaí. Three other dogs that were at the house were taken into the custody of a dog warden. All were subsequently destroyed.
An investigation into Ms O'Donnell Morey's death is ongoing and gardaí are appealing for information.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Roxboro Road Garda Station on (061) 214 340, the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
