27 May 2023 , 20:43
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A couple who owned a pitbull who ripped a nine-year-old boy's face apart in a savage attack have been charged.
Niall Byrne and Karen Miller have been charged with dog offences relating to the horrific attack which left Alejandro Mizsan with a mauled face and needing seven weeks of intense hospital care.
Both are due before Wexford Circuit Court this coming October, accused of a number of raps connected to the incident on November 27 last year.
Alejandro, who was aged nine at the time, was playing with his pals on the green of the estate where his family live in Enniscorthy, Wexford when the incident happened.
A pitbull, which was not on a lead but was roaming freely, viciously attacked the boy.
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The dog ripped off his bottom lip, mauled each of his cheeks as well as injuring the boy’s body and legs.
Alejandro Mizsan suffered a horrific attack (Image: Mick O'Neill.)The dog was killed that evening, reports the Irish Mirror.
The young lad was airlifted to Crumlin Children's Hospital in Dublin where he spent seven weeks, including the Christmas and New Year period, before he was released.
Mr Byrne, 27, is charged with a number of offences arising out of the attack.
He stands accused of the inhumane destruction of an animal under section 23 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act.
Alejandro before the attack (Supplied by Family)He also faces two counts of threatening to kill unnamed persons following the incident.
Ms Miller, currently on bail, is also charged with the inhumane destruction and one count of obstruction under section 46 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act.
She is further accused of two counts of endangerment.
Ms Miller, 37, is also charged with the non-indictable offences of having no dog license, not having proper control of a dog and in relation to non-compliance to microchipping the dog.
Alejandro with his family (Image: Mick O'Neill.)
Alejandro with his brother Raul
Alejandro was attacked by a pitbullAlejandro’s older brother Raul told us: “Unfortunately this happened to Alejandro but we do not want anybody else to suffer the horrors like we have.
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“And at least the attack on Alejandro did not go unnoticed, change is coming and everything needs to be done to prevent these attacks in the future.”
Alejandro returned to school for the first time since the incident on April 17, following the Easter break.
The family hopes to go abroad this summer with Alejandro to undergo surgery to his face.
Raul, who got a tattoo in tribute to Alejandro, said: “Of course I’m very proud of him.
He spent seven weeks in Crumlin Children's Hospital in Dublin (Image: Mick O'Neill.)“All the family is very happy, everything is back to normal.
“Obviously he still has the scars and has to get more surgery, but apart from that everything is back to normal.
“It’s an important milestone for him to return to school.
“He said ‘I’m so happy to be back’ and that he is delighted to see his teachers.
“He’s also happy that his life is getting back to normal.”