A young boy, around nine years of age, was attacked by a pit bull over the weekend in Wexford and remains in hospital in “serious condition”.
The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon as the young boy was playing with his friends in an estate in Enniscorthy.
It is understood that the dog did not belong to the boy’s family, but was owned by a local in the area who got the dog only a matter of weeks ago.
Gardaí and emergency services rushed to the scene and the dog responsible for the attack has since been put down.
Due to the extent of his injuries, the Irish Coast Guard’s Rescue 117 helicopter arrived on the scene and transported the boy to Crumlin Children’s Hospital where he is “undergoing treatment for serious injuries”.
Locals who witnessed the attack described it as “shocking” and “awful”, and Gardaí say their investigations are ongoing.
Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast on Monday, Public Affairs Correspondent for the Irish Independent, Amy Molloy explained: “This is a bit of a shock announcement, that happened yesterday in Enniscorthy.
“It is understood that a young boy, believed to be about nine years of age was playing with a group of friends in an estate when this dog - which appeared to be loose - attacked him.”
Ms Molloy said locals described the incident as “vicious” and “awful”, while parents in the area say their children are traumatised from witnessing the attack unfold.
She went on to say that “a number of neighbours tried to pull the dog off the young boy.
“Gardai and emergency services attended, and the dog had to be destroyed, but due to the extent of the young boy's injuries the Irish Coast Guard was called and the Rescue 117 helicopter was used to transport the boy to the hospital.”
The young boy was operated on last night, and locals say they are hopeful he will pull through, however, there has been no update this morning on his condition.
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