Baby mauled in XL Bully dog horror attack in Co. Kerry

An XL Bully dog has been destroyed after it mauled an infant in Co Kerry, it has emerged.

The baby girl, who is just 12 months old, has now undergone major surgery after the horror attack in the Lixnaw area of the county on Saturday evening.

Gardaí told The Irish Mirror on Monday evening that the baby suffered serious injuries in the attack.

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It’s understood the child was initially treated in University Hospital Kerry before being transferred to Cork University Hospital for specialist treatment.

Sources said the baby girl was attacked by a dog that turned on her in the family home.

Gardaí said they were aware of the incident and said the dog had now been destroyed.

A spokesman said: “Gardaí were made aware of an incident that occurred in Lixnaw, Co. Kerry on the evening of Saturday 17th August, 2024.

“A child was seriously injured following a dog attack. She is currently receiving treatment at Cork University Hospital.

“The dog has since been destroyed by local veterinary services.

“Investigations are ongoing.”

The attack comes just over a month after the government announced a ban on XL Bully type dogs.

The ban, announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys, will come into effect in two phases – one in October and one in February next year.

From October 1, it will be illegal to breed, sell, rehome or import XL Bully dogs.

The second phase will be introduced on February 1, 2025 and will see a ban on owning an XL Bully dog - unless the owner has a Certificate of Exemption.

The ban was brought in following increased concern over the XL Bully breed – especially after the savage killing of Nicole Morey in June.

Nicole Morey who was killed in a dog attack at a house in Ballyneety, Co Limerick in June.

Ms Morey, who had just turned 23, was attacked by her XL Bully dogs at her home in Ballyneety, Co Limerick on June 5.

She had been celebrating her birthday when she returned home and was attacked.

Ms Morey had four XL Bullies. One was shot dead by armed gardaí at the scene. The other three were later seized by a dog warden from Limerick County Council following the horrifying incident. They were later destroyed.

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