A man had to be rushed to hospital after being attacked by a dog on the restricted breed list in Co Donegal yesterday.
The man, an elite athlete, was jogging on the greenway between the villages of Muff and Quigley’s Point on the Inishowen Peninsula, when he was set upon by the dog after midday.
The dog, understood to be a Rottweiler, was being walked on a lead by its female owner at the time.
The animal was not muzzled at the time of the attack.
It managed to break free from its owner and chased the man before biting him a number of times on the leg.
The victim , who is in his 20s, was rushed to Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry where he underwent emergency treatment.
Donegal Daily understands that Gardai this morning identified the dog at the centre of the incident.
Gardai have now launched an investigation into the incident.
Local County Councillor Terry Crossan said he is horrified by the attack.
The veteran Sinn Fein politician told Donegal Daily that people need to take full responsibility for their dogs.
“I want to pay particular praise to the Gardai in dealing with this situation and taking control of it once they realised the seriousness of this incident.
“This man was lucky to escape even though his injuries are very serious.
“If this was a child the consequences could have been much worse and it’s not even worth considering that,” he said.
Councillor Crossan said he now plans to bring forward a motion to Donegal County Council surrounding the whiel area of dog control and dog warden services in the county,
A Garda spokesperson confirmed “Gardaí in Muff were alerted to a report of a man who was bitten by a dog that occurred on the morning of Sunday 16th June, 2024 in Muff.
“A man, aged in his 20s received medical attention, his injuries are not life threatening.”
The attack comes less than two weeks after a 23-year-old woman died in a dog attack in Co Limerick.
Nicole Morley died after being mauled to death by her own XL Bully dog when she entered her home after being out celebrating her birthday.
The tragedy has once again opened up the debate on dangerous dog breeds and the possibility of certain breeds being banned in Ireland.