A Jack Russell terrier named Kim that was ordered to be put down after biting a woman has been given one last chance to live.
Owner Donal Rogers, an 85-year-old retired guard, was granted a reprieve on the final order for destruction for his dog at the Circuit Court in Athlone yesterday.
His beloved six-year-old dog Kim was initially ordered to be put to sleep after she bit a woman on the leg who was passing Mr Rogers' home near Strokestown, Co Roscommon, on March 6.
On Tuesday, Judge Karen Fergus granted a stay on the destruction order for a couple of weeks to allow Mr Rogers time to put certain dog control measures in place.
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These include erecting a fence around Mr Roger’s property as well as ensuring that Kim is microchipped and kept on a lead at all times when she is outside the property.
He must also pay €5,000 in compensation to the woman for her injuries and €1,500 towards her legal fees.
Mr Rogers now has four weeks to satisfy these conditions, after which Judge Fergus indicated she would consider a more permanent stay in Kim’s destruction order.
Solicitor Kieran Friel of McHale Muldoon solicitors, who is representing Mr Rogers, told the Irish Mirror: “We agree entirely with what the judge is saying and are thankful that she has given our client the opportunity to fulfil the conditions set out in her decision.”
Following the biting incident in March the woman made an application to the Roscommon District Court and obtained an order for destruction, directing that Kim be surrendered to a dog warden to be destroyed.
The woman, who is in her 60s, told the court how she was bitten from behind and required eight stitches in hospital as a result.
She suffered a “serious bite” through her trousers which will leave “a deep permanent scar” on her leg, according to court documents.
In her evidence to the court, the woman is understood to have strongly denied allegations online that she is an “animal hater” and insisted that she does not want any other person to experience what she has gone through.
The case has gained much media attention and received an outpouring of support to save Kim on social media, with an online petition on Change.org gathering over 176,000 supporters in the hope of reversing the judge’s decision.
Actor and animal lover Ricky Gervais joined the fight to save Kim’s life in August, tweeting in response to the campaign: “This is so sad and frustrating. Anyone out there know how this dog can be saved? #SaveKim.”
Mr Rogers previously told The Irish Times he accepted that Kim bit the woman but insisted that she does not present a danger to the public. He said: “I am certain that she is not dangerous. Kim is a pet, she never bothered or injured anybody before or since.”
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