AN AWARD of almost €47,000 in damages has been made at the High Court to a woman who suffered scarring to her face and hand after being bitten by an Akita dog, a Japanese breed.
Mr Justice Michael Peart said yesterday that while the dog was not a very large animal, it was in the medium-size bracket and he was told such dogs are sometimes bred to kill bears.
Catherine Masterson, a care assistant, of Lanesboro, Co Longford, had sued her brother-in-law, Henry Masterson, Park Avenue, Armthorpe, Doncaster, England, over the incident in Co Roscommon in 2002. Liability was conceded and the case was before the court for assessment of damages only, where an award of €46,987 was made.
Ms Masterson said the incident happened on May 28th, 2002, when she was due to go out on a boat on the river Shannon, near Knockcroghery, Co Roscommon. Her brother-in-law had a camper van with an Akita dog chained to it and she was standing nearby when the dog attacked.
She said the animal knocked her over and bit her. “I tried to get away but he kept coming at me.”
Ms Masterson said it turned out the dog had broken free of his chain and said the animal kept mauling her until her brother-in-law pulled him off. She was bitten on her face and chin and suffered scars and five broken teeth. She developed a dog phobia as a consequence.
Mr Masterson said he had acquired the dog from the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and had no reason to be concerned about him. He had never thought such a thing would happen and had returned the dog to the RSPCA after the attack. The animal was subsequently put down.
Prior to the incident the dog had been allowed sleep beside a five-month-old child, he added.
The judge said Ms Masterson had suffered very serious injuries, with the most significant a scar on her chin of which she would be very conscious. There was also a significant injury to her hand and a neck injury.
Referring to scarring on Ms Masterson’s face, the judge said that apparently excellent corrective work had been done, as that damage was barely noticeable.
The judge told Mr Masterson that if he wished to appeal he had 21 days to lodge notice.