An elderly woman was recovering in hospital yesterday after being attacked by Alsatian dogs in Killarney, Co Kerry. Gardai were horrified at the attack, which took place about 3 p.m. on Saturday on the Countess Road.
Gardai say the woman, who is in her 70s, is suffering from scalp, face and head injuries. She is recovering in Tralee General Hospital.
The Alsatians first attacked a teenage girl who was walking her dog. Two of them tried to attack the dog and then turned on the girl. The girl saved her dog by putting him behind a wall.
There were three Alsatians but only two took part in the mauling. When an elderly woman tried to help the girl, she was pinned to the ground by two of the dogs.
Two young girls walking with a child in a pram were then attacked. The baby was not injured, but the mother of one of the girls said her daughter was injured and in shock.
An eyewitness, Mr Tomas Griffin, who was described by emergency services as "the hero" of the day, said the scene was one of mayhem. "The dogs were completely out of control. They were savage," he said. Mr Griffin was driving past with his wife and mother when he witnessed the attack. He got out of his car and the dogs turned on him.
Mr Griffin also saw the dogs attacking a garda when he arrived. He said he was absolutely terrified by what he saw. "The dogs were absolutely and utterly savage".
He believes someone would have been killed had not a tourist driven at the dogs with his car. The dogs were later put down. The owner was in his house at the time and only became aware his dogs were loose when he noticed the commotion outside, according to gardai.
He assisted in bringing them under control and asked immediately to have them put down.