Boy attacked by neighbour's dog awarded €30,000 damages
A five-year-old schoolboy, who was attacked and bitten on his leg by a neighbour’s dog, has been awarded €30,000 damages in the Circuit Civil Court.
Barrister Maeve Cox, counsel for the injured boy, said that in August 2014, Arshdeep Singh had been in a park close to his home at Liffey Drive, Lucan, Co Dublin, when a dog owned by neighbour Anthionette Byrne attacked him.
Judge James O’Donohue today heard that Arshdeep, who was four at the time, was bitten on his right calf and fell to the ground. He had felt immediate pain and had been upset and crying.
Little Arshdeep had been taken to the A&E Department of Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin, where his wound was treated. He had been prescribed painkillers and a course of antibiotics.
Ms Cox, who appeared with Evans, Little O’Reilly solicitors, said Arshdeep complained of pain in his leg after long walks. The wound had left a scar, which may be permanent.
Through his father, Manjeet Singh, the boy sued Ms Byrne, also of Liffey Drive, Lucan, for negligence and breach of duty under the Control of Dogs Act on the basis Byrne had failed to exercise effective control over her dog.
Ms Cox told the judge that the defendant had made a €30,000 settlement offer, and she recommended acceptance of it to the court.
Judge O’Donohue heard that Arshdeep had developed a fear of dogs since the incident. The judge approved the offer.