A woman left with a lifelong fear of dogs after two of them attacked her has been awarded compensation of £27,500 in the High Court in Belfast.
Ms Sarah Taylor (59), was walking through the Springfarm Heights estate in Newry, Co Down, when the dogs set upon her on August 7th, 1998. A large terrier called Charlie rushed out of a house and seized her on her left wrist with his teeth, Mr Justice Sheil said.
"He held on to her as she struggled to become free and as she did so, a second dog, a large black mastiff called Lucy, ran out and put its large paws on to her back, causing her to fall to the ground.
"It then proceeded to bite her on her right arm. Both dogs joined in a concentrated attack which lasted approximately 10 minutes until she was rescued by a neighbour."
Mr Justice Sheil said the incident was most frightening and had left Ms Taylor with a great fear of dogs which had inhibited her in going out for walks which she had done frequently in the past.
"She has been left with what will inevitably be a lifelong fear of dogs," the judge said.
Mrs Taylor, Ardcarne Park Newry, was awarded damages of £7,500 against Catherine O'Hare, owner of Charlie, and £10,000 against John Farrell, the keeper of Lucy. These were for the physical injuries Ms Taylor suffered, puncture wounds to her arm, weakness in her left ankle and a sore back.
Mr Justice Sheil referred to a psychiatrist's report which stated that Ms Taylor had developed a phobic anxiety disorder as a result of the attacks three years ago.