A post-mortem will take place at Mid-Western Regional Hospital (Picture: PA)
A woman has died after she was attacked by a dog at a house in Ireland.
The 23-year-old, who hasn’t yet been named, was pronounced dead at the scene in a home in Ballyneety, Co Limerick, just before midnight on Tuesday.
The breed of the dog involved is not yet known, but it has since been put down and Garda have seized several others.
The victim’s body has been taken to Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick for a post-mortem.
Rural Minister Heather Humphreys, who recently set up a group about dog control, said she is ‘appalled’ by the attack.
She said: ‘I want to begin by expressing my deepest sympathies to her family in what is a deeply shocking incident.
‘A Garda investigation is under way and it’s important we establish the facts on what happened.
‘I have consistently said that more action is required in relation to dog control.
‘That’s why I have set up a cross-governmental stakeholder group, chaired by the retired deputy garda commissioner John Twomey, to examine this whole area.
‘I have asked the group to examine the restricted breeds list, in line with actions being taken in the UK and Northern Ireland.
‘I am committed to working with colleagues across government in taking whatever action is necessary to strengthen our dog control laws.’
There are several restricted breeds in Ireland, though the XL Bully is currently not listed, and there are no banned breeds.
Which dog breeds are restricted in Ireland?
The restricted breeds in Ireland are:
American pit bull terrier
English bull terrier
Staffordshire bull terrier
Bull mastiff
Dobermann pinscher
German shepherd (Alsatian)
Rhodesian ridgeback
Rottweiler
Japanese akita
Japanese tosa
Bandog
Restricted dogs must be kept collared with their owner’s information on a tag, muzzled in public and on a short, strong lead with someone over the age of 16 who is able to control them.
Strains or cross breeds of those breeds are also restricted.
Anyone with information on the Ballyneety incident is asked to contact Roxboro Road Garda Station on (061) 214 340, the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
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