A woman, who sustained facial cuts and broken teeth when she was attacked by her brother-in-law’s dog, is to receive 47,000 Euros compensation.
Catherine Masterson (47) from Lanesboro, County Longsford, was visiting her brother-in-law – Henry Masterson from Armthorpe, Doncaster – while he was on holiday near Knockcroghery in Roscommon in May 2008.
As she passed by his camper van, Henry Masterson’s dog – a Japanese Akita – leapt up at Catherine and knocked her to the floor. The dog started to maul at Catherine and bit her face and hand, leaving her with permanent scarring and five broken teeth.
It was only due to the intervention of Mr Masterson that her injuries were not worse, and it was later discovered that the chain restraining the dog had snapped when the dog first leapt at Catherine. Although liability for the attack was conceded by Mr Masterson, the case went to the High Court for assessment of damages.
At the High Court, Mr Justice Michael Peart heard that Mr Masterson had originally acquired the dog from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and it had never displayed behaviour to concern him that such an attack might happen.
Mr Masterson expressed remorse for the attack on his sister-in-law, and explained to the court that the dog had been returned to the RSPCA and subsequently put down.
Judge Peart also heard that, since the attack, Catherine has developed a fear of dogs and in announcing the compensation award of 47,000 Euros commented that she had sustained very serious injuries.