Ban dogs from flats, says Burke
Following the savage mauling of a six year old boy in Hardwicke
Street, Dublin, on Monday night, North Central Sinn Féin
Councillor Christy Burke has called for the banning of all
domestic dogs from flat complexes.
Stephen Power received 160 stitches in his face and further
treatment to his badly injured right leg at Temple Street
Children's Hospital on Monday night. He had been attacked by a
Staffordshire bull terrier and a bull mastiff outside his flat
complex, along with his brother Derek and their friend Derek
Flood as they were going to a local shop. Stephen fortunately
escaped death when his father Derek and uncle Eddie heard their
screams and intervened. Gardaí have arrested the owner of the
dogs as both were impounded and put down on Tuesday.
Burke, who visited Stephen and his family on Tuesday, said he had
been ``shocked and horrified at the damage caused by the attack
and am deeply worried at the possibility, or indeed likelihood,
of this happening again. The City Manager must ensure that all
dogs are banned from flat complexes. It is both dangerous and
cruel to keep animals in places which were not designed for pets''.
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