A seven-year-old girl who was left with a facial scar after a labrador dog bit her on the jaw has settled her High Court action for damages for €85,000.
Jemimah Townsend was stroking the black labrador in a Co Cork farmhouse on December 27th, 2001, when it grabbed her by the jaw, the court heard. She had to have surgery and has a 5cm fine scar on her right cheek.
Mr Justice Paul Gilligan was told the child has been called "scarface" in the school playground since the attack.
In proceedings brought by her mother Angie, Jemimah, now aged 10, from Pulborough, West Sussex, England, had sued Patricia Cook, Newcestown, Bangor, Co Cork, the dog's owner.
The Townsend family had flow in to Cork in December 2001 to meet relatives for the first time. Jemimah's mother, who is adopted, had arranged to meet her biological family. On the day of the incident, Jemimah's parents had gone for a walk and the little girl was stroking the labrador dog when he went for her. A relative rescued the girl and an ambulance was called.
The court heard the young girl suffered post-traumatic stress disorder during the first year after the attack and is now afraid and panics when she sees large dogs.
Ms Townsend told the court her daughter's scar has improved and the family were happy with the result. The scar tingles in hot or cold weather and appears red. She and her husband Keith had promised to buy their daughter a riding coat after the court case.
Approving the settlement of €85,000, Mr Justice Gilligan ordered that €2,000 be paid out immediately and used for the benefit of the girl.
Afterwards, Jemimah's father, Keith Townsend, said his daughter had been very brave throughout her ordeal.