A Staffordshire bull terrier ripped open the leg of eleven year old Patrick Crane in Downpatrick while he was playing in a neighbour’s garden close to his home.
The savage attack on 8 July required around 25 stitches to his right leg. Any child would be traumatised with the severity of the attack, but for Patrick, the attack was all the more devastating as he suffers from ADHD, an autism disability.
[caption id="attachment_58331" align="alignleft" width="390"]
Patrick Crane (11) from Downpatrick who is autistic and was savagely bitten by dog, gets a hug from his mother Lesa.[/caption]
Patrick was on the bouncy castle having fun when his leg went over the side and the dog struck. It bit him several times. The owner of the dog carried Patrick back to his home in Ballymote Walk on the Model Farm. Lesa Crane, Patrick’s mother, said: “The neighbour said you’d better not look and just phone an ambulance. I saw his leg and really went into shock. We were trying to put him into the back of my car but I was shocked and not fit to drive. The ambulance arrived a short time later and I really felt sick at that point as his leg was badly opened up in several places.
“Patrick is receiving counselling now as he has been badly affected by this incident. He is very fearful when the dog barks, and frets. He can still see it in the garden next door from his bedroom window and is reluctant now to go out. He is wetting the bed, and his behaviour has significantly changed.”
Lesa explained that Patrick went into the theatre the following day and received around 25 stitches to his leg. But she added that the owner seemed content that the dog was “being assessed” by Newry Mourne and Down District Council officers.
[caption id="attachment_58332" align="alignright" width="390"]
Some of the bite marks on Patrick Crane’s right leg.[/caption]
She said: ” I later found out three days later that the Council would be taking no action on this attack and basically the dog would be allowed to go on quite unaffected. This is very discouraging as the dog I understand was not even licesnced. I even had dog wardens come to my door asking me if my dog was licensed which I found very upsetting given the circumstances.
“I’m really astounded that it seems that the Council has been advised by their solicitors not to take any action and not to remove this animal from the garden where it bit my son. The dog was on private property. Â If the dog is dangerous it really should have been moved.
“I’ve since spoken to my solicitor and we are looking at this case. I’m not happy with how the Council has regarded my son. This was simply an unwarranted savage attack by the dog and it should have at least been removed for safety reasons. It seems that this dog has more rights that my son has. I just find this appalling that the new not-so-super council can do this. It’s just been six weeks of hell. The question remains, is any child or person safe with this dog?”
A spokesperson for Newry Mourne and Down District Council said: “As there is an ongoing investigation, we cannot comment on the detail of this case.
“The Council has a statutory obligation to enforce the Dogs (NI) Order 1983, and in doing so is committed to protecting the health and safety of the public. While we understand the obvious distress an alleged dog attack may cause, particularly where the injured party is a child, the Council is satisfied that the measures which have been put in place pending the conclusion of the investigation are sufficient so as to protect the public.
“It would be inappropriate for the Council to comment further.”
]]>
