'Thank God I just got him out alive': Longford Gardaí probe dog attack on young boy (2)

Gardaí in Longford are investigating after they received a complaint that a two year old boy was bitten by a dog in the Chapel Lane area of the town.

Patrick Joyce, a married father of five who lives in Campbell Drive, was visiting a local resident with his infant son Paddy when the alleged attack took place shortly after 10pm on Thursday night.

The young boy was taken to a doctor and subsequently brought to Mullingar Regional Hospital on Friday where he has been receiving treatment in recent days.

Mr Joyce, who was about eight or nine yards away when the attack occurred, stated he is grateful he was nearby and able 'to save him' and he believes Paddy's life was in danger.

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"I was down visiting a friend and my little boy was coming in the back door with a bike and the dog was there waiting and as soon as he came in it happened so quickly and it just snapped and attacked the child on the spot," he said. "The first place he bit him was the side of his belly."

Mr Joyce stated the dog was vicious and he reacted quickly to pull his boy away from danger.

"At that moment I never actually thought I'd get my son out alive, there was blood pumping out through him, there was blood from me and I wasn't worried about myself and thank God I just got him out breathing and alive," he said. "He has an infection in his arm where the dog bit him and they are keeping an eye on that so it won't get any worse and they are treating it as well."

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Mr Joyce stated he and he was bitten on the right arm and on the leg by the dog and he reported the incident to the Gardaí and the Longford Dog Warden.

"The reason I was bitten on the arm is because when I saved my son I raised him high up in the air over my shoulders and the dog went back a few steps and he he kept moving forward trying to get him in the face and lucky enough I got it instead in the arm," he said. "I definitely want to see the dog put down because the way I look at it is I saved my child, but I don't think the next child is going to be saved."

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Mr Joyce stated when the dog's owner grabbed the pet it was still making every effort to get away and still very 'aggressive'.
"We just left and rushed to MiDoc," he added.

Mr Joyce said he is eager to warn others in the Chapel Lane area to be careful and vigilant as he believes the dog is dangerous and is capable of attacking again.

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A Garda spokesperson stated they are investigating.

"I can confirm Gardaí are aware of an alleged incident involving a dog that occurred on the night of Thursday, November, 21 at 10pm approximately.

"Enquiries are ongoing."