Wexford Court Sentences Dog Owners After Child Bitten
Wexford: In a distressing incident that shook the community, a man and a woman have been sentenced to two years in prison following a dog attack that left a nine-year-old boy severely injured. The court handed down the verdict after the same dog attacked two children on separate occasions within a span of days in the Forgelands Estate in Enniscorthy on November 23 and 27, 2022.
The victim, Alejandro Mizsan, was playing with friends when he was viciously attacked by the bulldog. Another child fell victim to a similar attack on November 23, prompting swift legal action. Presiding over the case, Wexford Circuit Court Judge James McCourt delivered the ruling, sentencing Karen Miller (38) and Niall Byrne (29), both residents of Enniscorthy, to three years in prison. Karen Miller’s sentence was later reduced by one year.
Niall Byrne received a 20-month sentence for his involvement in the incident and an additional three years for the killing of the dog. However, his sentence was commuted to 12 months, taking into account his time in custody since November 2022.
The court also noted that the attack could have been prevented if the dog had been properly restrained, registered, licensed, and microchipped, as required by law. Karen Miller and Niall Byrne were identified as the owners of the bulldog, which resided alongside another bulldog puppy and a Lurcher dog in their home.
In the face of this tragedy, the community rallied together, raising over €100,000 through a GoFundMe account to support the boy’s family during their time of need.
During the proceedings, the defence counsel revealed that Karen Miller had inadvertently unleashed the dog, causing it to break free from its chain upon encountering another canine. Despite the grave consequences of the attack, the owners failed to demonstrate adequate vigilance even days after the incident.
The severity of the situation was underscored by the heroic actions of a neighbour who intervened, saving Alejandro from further harm by striking the dog with a baseball bat. Following the attack, Alejandro was airlifted to Children’s Health Ireland Crumlin in Dublin for medical treatment.
The presence of Alejandro’s brother, Raul, and their mother, Otilia, who hails from Romania, served as a poignant reminder of the lasting impact of the incident on their family. Judge McCourt emphasised the need for responsible pet ownership and the importance of prioritising public safety in light of such preventable tragedies.
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