Ballinrobe man's Christmas is ruined by savage pitbull attack

A sAVAGE  attack by a pitbull terrier inflicted a serious injury on an Irish exile who is home on a Christmas break from London.

The male victim, a native of Ballinrobe is recovering after the pitbull attacked him without warning at a friend's home on Friday night.

As a result of the mauling, the man sustained serious throat injuries.

But he will make a full recovery.

The injured man was treated initially at Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar but was transferred later to a hospital in Galway to undergo surgery. 

The vicious incident has understandably traumatised the victim and shocked his wife, who accompanied him home from London for Christmas, and his family.

It is understood the dog involved has since been put down.

The attack was the second serious incident involving pitbull terriers - a highly muscular breed of dog - in the Co. Mayo area in recent times.

Last week, Judge Grainne O'Neill heard at Castlebar District Court that a pitbull terrier launched a savage attack on two pet dogs which were being walked on leads through a local housing estate, 

As a result of the attack, a puppy, the youngest of the canine victims, had to be given 30 stitches by a veterinary surgeon.

And the walker of the dogs, Declan Sweeney, a detective garda, sustained an injured finger as he tried to protect the animals.