Woman is killed by her pet XL Bully on her 23rd birthday: Police are forced to shoot the animal dead
A woman has died after an attack by her pet XL bully on her 23rd birthday, according to locals, with police shooting the animal on the spot.
The young woman, named Nicole Morey, was attacked by at least one of her dogs near her home in Ballyneety, Co, at around 11.40pm on Tuesday evening. Limerick.
Gardai said members of the Regional Armed Support Unit who attended the property encountered ‘a number of aggressive dogs’, one of which was put down and the rest seized.
The dog owner was pronounced dead at the scene and her body was taken to University Hospital Limerick for a post-mortem examination.
Her sister Jolene posted on Facebook: ‘My heart was broken again on your birthday. I only hung up for two seconds before I actually went out of my way to help. I’m so sorry Nicole. I love you so much it feels like a bad dream.”
The young woman, named locally as Nicole Morey, was attacked by the dog at a house in Co. at around 11.40pm on Tuesday evening. Limerick.
Nicole’s sister Jolene posted a tribute to her on Facebook, saying: ‘My heart is broken’
The dog involved in the incident was put down and several others were seized by the dog manager.
An investigation is underway at Roxboro Road Garda Station and the scene of the accident is being held for a technical examination.
Councilor Brigid Teefy described the incident as ‘terrible’.
“I talked to people on the phone and everyone is shocked,” she said. ‘It’s a horrible story. It’s so rare for something like this to happen.’
Another councilor, Conor Sheehan, said the incident was “very, very tragic” and his condolences went out to the woman’s family.
Councilor Adam Teskey also offered his condolences and said there is shock among locals. “This is a poignant moment in our community,” he said.
Rural Affairs Minister Heather Humphreys, who recently set up a group to investigate dog control, said she was ‘shocked’ by the ‘very shocking incident’.
“I was shocked and sickened to hear the news this morning of this young woman who was brutally killed by a dog, and my thoughts and prayers are with her family.”
In a statement she said: “A Garda investigation is underway and it is important that we establish the facts about what happened.
‘I have consistently said that more action is needed on dog control.
“That is why I have established an intergovernmental stakeholder group, chaired by retired Deputy Garda Commissioner John Twomey, to investigate this whole area.”
She said she has asked the group to investigate the restricted breed list and whether Ireland should follow the lead of Britain and Northern Ireland.
The 23-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene after the attack on Tuesday evening
‘If they advise me to ban a certain breed, I am happy to do so. But I want to let them do their job because there are different views and different approaches on that and I want to make sure we get it right.”
There are several restricted breeds in Ireland, including German Shepherds, Rottweilers and various bull terriers, as well as some crossbreeds.
Disabled dogs must be collared with their owner’s information on a tag, muzzled in public and on a short, strong leash with someone over the age of 16 who can keep them under control.
Asked when the working group’s work will be completed, Ms Humphreys said they have held a number of meetings so far.
“I will be speaking to the chairman again today to find out exactly what their current situation is, but I know they have met a number of times and these are issues they will look at,” she said.
A Gardai spokesperson said: ‘Last evening, Tuesday 4 June 2024, at around 11.40pm, gardaí received a report and attended an incident in which a woman (23) was fatally injured following a dog attack at a residential property in Ballyneety, Co. Limerick.
“The woman was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel.”
They added: “Her body has been removed from the scene to Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick, where a post-mortem examination will take place.
