A huge number of dog attacks on people and other animals have been recorded in an electoral area of Dublin.
It comes as a woman who was viciously attacked by two dogs in a residential area warned people to be careful as she fears “someone could be killed”.
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council recorded 273 dog attacks from 2016 to 2021, according to figures provided to the Irish Independent.
Read more: Dublin woman warns 'someone could be killed' after vicious dog attack
A total of 135 of the attacks were on humans.
Victoria Sokolowska was walking her Labrador Molly on Easter Sunday morning when they were set upon. She was bitten, while her pet sustained horrific injuries.
They had been returning home from a stroll at 7.30am when the attack occurred at Ashwood Lawns estate in Clondalkin, Dublin.
Victoria, 27, who called gardai after the ordeal and has so far spent €1,400 on Molly’s surgical and vet fees, said: “I was coming back towards my house and two massive dogs approached us.
“I have a medium-sized Labrador cross breed dog and they were about twice the size.
“They looked like wolves or huskies but much more aggressive and when the guards came they said they were like wolves so I think they were a hybrid.
“I stopped and they were in front of me. I remember I thought ‘just go gentle’ so I let my dog walk up towards them.”
The business developer said the pair then started biting Molly’s legs.
Victoria, who moved to Dublin with her family 15 years ago from Poland, said: “I was afraid. I previously volunteered with the DSPCA and I understood fully that they were dangerous. The only thing was that about 60 metres from me there was a gate and in my mind I was thinking I have to get behind that gate and close it because they were ripping Molly’s legs.
“I started walking backwards and I heard my dog scream and I saw a hole on her leg. From then on it got absolutely horrific.
“The two dogs were very methodical in the attack. They were biting and I could see the blood and then one of them came up behind me and bit me in my leg.” Victoria, who was treated by a doctor after the attack, managed to get behind the gate and call her housemate to collect her.
She said the guards arrived, found the owner and returned the dogs to them.
She added: “At one point I thought we’re going to die. I also knew if I ran it would make it worse. All I want is for people to know that this happened.
“I understand the dogs were in the backyard and they got away because it wasn’t properly closed.
“There are a lot of kids playing and people walking dogs there.
“This can happen again and if someone dies... I can’t even think about it.”
The DSPCA's head of Education, Media and Public Relations, Gillian Bird, told Newstalk dog owners need to keep their pets on short leads.
She said: "The law is that your dog must be under effective control at all times. And many of the parks will actually look at that as a bylaw and say the dog must be on a lead or it must be on a leash at certain times of the day.
"But basically that is your only way of keeping your dog effectively on control - to keep them on a short strong lead."
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