A 47-year-old man who was before a local court for having a dog in public without a leash “did everything he could” to sort out the aftermath of an attack by his dog on another dog two years ago. The remark was made at Trim District Court on Tuesday by Judge Eirinn McKiernan when dealing with a charge against Jason Cullen, Somervile, Fairyhouse Road, Ratoath under the Control of Dogs Act. A previous hearing was told that a dog was being walked by a seven-year-old child when it was attacked by a bully dog. A number of other children witnessed the incident. The bully dog was off lead at the time.
Defending solicitor Teresa Coyle had told the court it was “a very unfortunate incident” in which her client’s dog had slipped its lead. Her client had paid for the other dog’s veterinary fee and he had also had his own dog put down straight away. Gardai had been asked by the judge whether a victim impact statement could be canvassed from the child in the incident. However, when the case resumed the court was told that a victim impact statement would not be made.
Ms Coyle said that her client was very sorry about what had happened. Her client had no previous convictions and had €700 available in court by way of donation. The judge said that the owner had done everything possible to sort things out. She did not require payment of a donation and found the facts proven and dismissed the charge.
