Report Paul Murphy
Thirty one people have been attacked by dogs in Meath in the three years up to 2024, new figures reveal. This compares with statistics from Louth where 219 in incidents of dog attacks took place over the last three and a half years. The Meath figure have been released by Meath County Council but are also reported on the Local Authority Control of Digs Statistics Report published by the Department of Rural and Community Development.

There were four attacks in Meath in 2022, 14 in 2023, 13 in 2024. The data has yet to be collated for 2025, however at least two serious incidents have been reported. In an incident in Navan in June last a woman was hospitalised and her small dog killed after a pit bull attacked them. The women sustained leg injuries and needed plastic surgery while her Jack Russell dog died from its injuries. The put bull was surrendered to Meath County Council dog wardens and later euthanised by the local authority.

In Louth there were 219 dog attack incidents report between 2022 and 2025. The figures provided by Louth County Council showed that there were 18 incidents reported in 2022 but with a sharp spike to 106 in 2023, with numbers falling in 2024 to 71. So far this year there have been reports of 24 attacks.

If a dog is about to attack you

Stay calm and still:Sudden movements or loud noises can escalate the situation.

Turn your body sideways:This presents a smaller target to the dog.
Avoid eye contact:Direct eye contact can be seen as a challenge by a dog.
Use a barrier:Place a bag, jacket, or umbrella between you and the dog.
Yell and stomp:If the dog gets close, try to create noise and a threat.

Don’t run: Running can trigger a dog’s prey drive.

If a dog attacks:

Protect your vital areas: If you fall, curl into a ball to protect your head, neck, and torso.

Get to safety: Find a barrier or a safe area to back away into.

After the attack:
Seek immediate medical attention:

Get medical help to clean and treat the wound, even if it seems minor, to prevent serious infections.

Report the incident:

Call the local Gardaí and animal control to report the attack.

Gather evidence:

Take photos of your injuries, the scene, and the attacking dog. Get the contact details of the dog’s owner and any witnesses.

Contact a solicitor:
Seek advice from a solicitor to understand your legal options and potential for compensation.