Latest news with #NicoleMorey
Irish Times
22-07-2025
- Irish Times
Owners surrender 60 XL Bullies to authorities after move to ban breed
Sixty XL bully crossbreed dogs have been surrendered to local authorities since a ban on the breed and crossbreed variations was announced last year. It follows an incident at the weekend in Cork city in which a woman in her 30s was seriously injured in an attack at her home by her dog, understood to be a pit bull crossbreed. The dog was euthanised by a vet. The ban was introduced following a number of high-profile incidents, including the death of Nicole Morey (23) from Limerick city after she was attacked in June last year by her dogs when she returned home from a night out celebrating her birthday. It also followed an attack in 2023 on a young Wexford boy, Alejandro Mizsan. Then minister for rural and community affairs Heather Humphreys established a working group to look at strengthening policy and legislation on dog control and followed up with a ban on the breed. READ MORE XL Bully dogs are described as a variant of the American bully breed. The XL bully is typically larger and more muscular than other American bully breeds, which include 'micro', 'pocket', 'standard' and 'classic'. At the time Ms Humphreys said there was a need for responsible breeding practices and told the Dáil : 'It's not Jurassic Park here.' The ban on the dogs was brought in over two stages, giving owners who wanted to keep their animals four months, between October 2024 and February 2025, to apply for a certificate of exemption, under which their dog must be neutered. Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon , who has responsibility for animal welfare, said owners of XL bully type dogs who did not wish to keep their animal could surrender it to their local authority dog warden service where the dog would be 'euthanised in a humane manner'. Figures released in his response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil TD Pádraig Ó Sullivan show that, up to the end of May this year, 60 XL bully crossbreeds were handed into local authorities to be euthanised. [ Widow of murder victim ordered to pay €11,000 for care of seized XL Bully dogs Opens in new window ] The authority in Limerick saw the highest number of surrenders, with 13 dogs handed in, while there were 11 dogs surrendered in Dublin city. Seven dogs were surrendered to the local authority in Waterford , with four each handed in to Cork City Council and Kildare County Council . Three dogs were surrendered in each of Cavan and Donegal , two were surrendered in Tipperary and one was surrendered in each of Westmeath , Sligo , Mayo , Meath , Longford , Galway city and Clare . Mr O'Sullivan, a long-time campaigner on animal rights, expressed his concern about the recent attack on the dog owner in his Cork North-Central constituency and about the practices of dog breeders in Ireland generally. He said about 7,000 to 8,000 puppies are registered annually. If this is the case, how could a website called have 25,500 puppies for sale last year, he asked. 'Some of the practices in the sector are very concerning. It is an industry estimated to be worth around €150 million per annum.' Mr O'Sullivan said there is a 'clear case' for Revenue to look, particularly at non-registered or backyard breeding establishments. He said animal welfare abuse fines could be 'a measly €500″. 'Anybody who knows anything about the industry knows the pups are often going for €1,000 or €2,000,' he said. He pointed out that the UK has a population 15 times larger than Ireland 'yet we produce half the number of pups they do'. 'That shows the extent of the dog-breeding in this country. Much of it is done properly and correctly by responsible breeders but, unfortunately, much of it goes under the radar.'
Irish Times
20-07-2025
- Irish Times
Dog is euthanised after attacking owner in Cork incident
A dog that attacked its owner in Cork City on Friday, leaving her with serious injuries, has been euthanised by a vet. The woman, who is in her 30s, was attacked in Glenfield Park in Ballyvolane on the northside of the city. The family pet, which is understood to have been a pit bull crossbreed, lunged at the woman at her home at around 7.30pm on Friday. The emergency services attended at the scene, and she was taken to hospital for treatment. The woman sustained non-life threatening injuries in the attack. However, she was left deeply shaken by the incident and required treatment to her upper body. READ MORE It is understood the dog had not shown any previous sign of aggression. Gardaí said inquiries into the incident are ongoing. Separately, a number of serious and at times fatal dog attacks have taken place in Ireland in recent years. Nicole Morey died just days after her 23rd birthday in June of last year having been attacked by her dogs at her home in Fedamore in Co Limerick. Ms Morey kept four dogs that were all on a restricted breed list. In June 2021 three-month-old Mia O'Connell died after being attacked by a family dog in her home in Waterford. Her inquest in January 2023 heard the one-year-old dachshund terrier cross breed had snapped at Mia when she was first brought into the family home. In recording a verdict of misadventure Coroner Philip Comyn urged animal owners to educate themselves on dog aggression. He said that he fully appreciated the wonderful benefits and companionship of dogs. However, he warned they are still animals and 'unpredictable' especially when its place is displaced by the arrival of a newcomer.
The Irish Sun
14-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Woman ‘bitten severely times' & pet killed during horror pit bull dog attack in Meath as victim ‘deeply shocked'
A WOMAN was injured and her small pet dog killed after they were attacked by a devil dog. The incident happened at approximately noon on June 5 while she was out for a walk in Navan, Co 2 Gardai are currently investigating the alleged incident Credit: Alamy The woman's dog was attacked by a vicious pit bull which also latched onto her leg several times. The terrified woman was taken to the It is understood that her A full investigation has been launched by the READ MORE ON XL BULLY DOG They have appealed to anyone who witnessed the attack or was driving in the area at the time to contact them. It is unknown if the pit bull has been identified and put down, but the owner will also face The Government brought in a Anyone who owns one had to apply for a Certificate of Exemption, which is issued by the local authority. Most read in Irish News It is also illegal to let a pit bull out in public without being under the control of the owner via a lead. A Garda source said: "This poor woman was out walking her dog around midday when they were attacked by the pit bull. "She is deeply shocked and upset by what happened. Sister of dog attack victim Nicole Morey calls for stricter XL Bully laws "Her small dog was killed and she was bitten several times. "This is a very serious incident and dog attacks like this should not be happening." A spokesperson for Gardai confirmed that they are "aware" of the alleged incident that occurred in Navan. They said: "I can confirm Gardaí are aware of an alleged incident that took place in Navan, Co Meath at approximately 12pm on the 5 of June 2025. "Enquiries are ongoing." What is the new XL Bully ban? HERE is everything you need to know about the new XL Bully ban in Ireland. The XL Bully ban comes into force in two stages beginning on the October 1, 2024, with a full ownership ban from February 1 2025. The period between these two dates will allow current XL Bully dog owners time to apply for a Certificate of Exemption from their local authority to permit them to keep their dog until the end of its natural life. There will be no fee for the certificate of exemption. Owners will be able to apply for a certificate of exemption from their local authority from 1st October subject to the dog being: Licensed Microchipped Neutered Certificates of Exemption The Certificate of Exemption will be unique to each XL Bully type dog and owner. It will specify the dog's licence details, microchip details, neutering details, age and description. It will also specify the dog owner's name, address, date of birth and contact number. A Certificate of Exemption is issued by the Local Authority and authorises the owner of an XL Bully type dog to keep that dog at a particular premises until the natural end of the dog's life. After February 1, 2025, all XL Bully type dog owners should either be in possession of a Certificate of Exemption or have proof that they applied for a Certificate of Exemption. Owners must apply to their local authority after October 1, 2024. No fee will be charged for a Certificate of Exemption. Penalties for breaching the regulations Any owner found to be in breach of the regulations will have committed an offence under the Control of Dogs Act 1986. The dog may be seized and euthanized in a humane manner and the owner will be subject to the penalties outlined in that Act: A fine of up to €2,500, or imprisonment of a term of up to 3 months, or both. 2 It is unknown if the pit bull has been identified Credit: Alamy
Sunday World
04-06-2025
- General
- Sunday World
‘Traumatised' brother of XL Bully victim pleads for leniency after crime ‘spree'
Bradley Morey pleaded guilty to a litany of offences with his barrister asking the court to afford him 'whatever leniency it can' The tragic death of Nicole Morey, who was mauled to death by her own dogs, was highlighted in court yesterday when her brother pleaded guilty to a litany of criminal offences. Pleading for leniency at Bradley Morey's sentencing hearing at Limerick Circuit Court, defence barrister, Liam Carroll BL, said Ms Morey's death had been 'exceptionally difficult' for her brother, who was a 'juvenile' when he committed a 'spree' of criminal offences. Morey, (18), of Bawnmore, Southill, Limerick, admitted a total of 11 offences, including being armed with a metal bar while engaging with others in violent disorder, stealing cars, breaking into cars, and driving away from filling station forecourts without paying for motor fuel. Mr Carroll asked the court to 'afford Mr Morey whatever leniency it can' and described Nicole Morey's death as 'an exceptional tragedy' for the defendant. Today marks the first anniversary of the death. 'One year ago his sister was sadly mauled to death by two XL bully dogs, and matters went from bad to worse for Mr Morey,' Mr Carroll told Judge Fiona O'Sullivan. The barrister said Mr Morey, had heard about his sister's shocking death while in custody awaiting sentence and that his sister's death has left him traumatised. 'He started smoking cannabis when he was 12 years old, he was keeping bad company, and to comprehend matters the family dynamic became worse one year ago when his sister was sadly mauled to death by her two XL Bully dogs,' Mr Carroll told the judge. 'Her own dogs killed her, effectively,' Mr Carroll told the sentencing hearing, which was adjourned. Nicole Morey was 23 when she died News in 90 June 4th Nicole Morey's death fuelled a national debate about the banning of dogs which many people considered to be a dangerous breed, however some owners of the dogs disagreed. Following her sister's death, Jolene Morey publicly called for XL Bully dogs to be banned. On February 1 last, new legislation was introduced making it illegal to own an XL Bully dog unless an owner can produce a certificate of exemption. Just days ahead of the first anniversary of her sister's death, Jolene Morey posted heartfelt tributes to her on social media. 'I miss you so much...I can't wait for the day we get to see each other again,' Ms Morey wrote. 'After loosing your only sister is (most) painful thing that anyone can go (through) in life, how my life has changed it's so horrible without you Nicole, I miss you so so much,' she stated. 'Everyday is so different for me now and it's so horrible, I'll never get used (to) this, it breaks my heart it doesn't feel real yet to me Nicole, I wish you we're here, I miss you so much,' she added. Last week it emerged that 50 XL Bully dog breeds had been surrendered to local authorities since the new law was introduced. Last October it also became illegal to import, breed, regime or resell an XL Bully. Certificates of exemptions cannot be granted to XL Bully dog owners that have not been neutered or deemed medically unfit for neutering. The highest numbers of XL Bully dogs were surrendered to local authorities, since February 1st, were Dublin City Council (11); Limerick City and County Council (10); Cork City Council (4). Armed gardaí were deployed to Nicole Morey's rented home in Fedamore, County Limerick, after she was attacked by her dogs on her 23rd birthday. The armed officers shot one of the dogs and took control of others at the rural property on June 4, 2024. Days later armed gardaí shot a pit bull dog after it dog attacked two people at a house in Cork. Last March, an XL Bully dog was shot by armed gardaí in Limerick as they chased a drugs suspect and the animal was later euthanised by a vet. Pit bull terriers and XL Bully dogs are both on a list of restricted dog breeds in Ireland. A week prior to Nicole Morey's death, eight-year-old Jackson Flynn, Limerick, was attacked by a dog in a park and sustained 30 stitches to his face. His father, Joe Flynn, (50s), said his son was 'lucky' to have survived the attack after the dog locked its jaws onto the boy's face and left him 'traumatised'. In total, over 1800 applications for certificates of exemption for XL Bully dogs have been received by authorities and almost 1,000 have been approved. Owners found to be in breach of the legislation could have their dog seized and euthanised and also face a fine of up to €250, a three month jail sentence, or both
Irish Independent
04-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Revealed: The number of XL Bullies surrendered in Tipperary since ban introduced
The ban on the dogs was brought in amid fears for public safety after the death of Limerick woman Nicole Morey who was mauled to death by her two XL Bully dogs last June, one of a number of serious dog attacks by the breed. The ban was brought in over two stages to give XL Bully type dog owners who wished to keep their dog, the time to obtain a certificate of exemption. So far, up to 1,800 applications for certificates of exemptions have been made nationwide, with almost 1,000 granted. The ban also offered the owners of XL Bully type dogs the option of surrendering them to their local authority. In Tipperary, up to the end of March, just two dogs have been surrendered to Tipperary County Council. Figures released to the Dáil by Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary showed that 48 dogs had been surrendered so far since the ban was introduced. The Minister said that the ban came in the 'interest of public safety'. "Members of the public must comply with the regulations. Any owner found to be in breach of the regulations will have committed an offence under the Control of Dogs Act 1986. "Responsibility for the enforcement of the regulations rests with the individual local authorities, who are empowered to seize XL Bully type dogs where necessary under the relevant statutory provisions,' Minister Calleary said. The area which saw the largest number of XL Bullies surrendered was Dublin, with 11, followed by Limerick (10) and Cork City with four.
