By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy
Nine-year-old Alejandro Miszan has been discharged from hospital after seven weeks having sustained horrific facial injuries from a dog attack while playing football outside his home at Enniscorthy on November 27th.
Speaking on RTÉ News, Alejandro said he was delighted to be home in Enniscorthy and appreciated the welcome from neighbours and friends. His only regret; “I don’t like how I look. I wish I had my face back.”
WexfordLocal.com reported the shock news as follows following attack; “Enniscorthy is a town in shock today following a frightening incident in which a nine years’ old boy was confronted by an uncontrolled dog and suffered appalling facial injuries in an unprovoked attack while playing with friends in a housing estate.
The incident occurred about 4.30pm the Old Forge Road housing estate, near the Milehouse area of the town. Local sources told WexfordLocal.com that five friends were playing together when a pitbull cross set upon them in an aggressive manner and launched a horror attack. The children ran, three in one direction and two in another direction, however, one boy was grabbed by the dog and suffered dreadful injuries. The other children escaped injury but were said to be ‘traumatised’
Emergency services were quickly on the scene and attended by paramedics before being taken to Bellefield GAA Grounds from where the injured boy was flown to Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin by Irish Coast Guard helicopter R117 where he underwent emergency surgery.
His brother Raul said: “All the doctors and nurses came out and hugged him and said goodbye to him. When we came home all the neighbours were here and all my family were here to welcome him home in the best way.”
The concerns about the control of dogs and the need for more Dog Wardens in Co. Wexford has been raised at a number of meetings of Wexford County Council by Gorey-based Cllr Joe Sullivan, the latest being at last Monday’s January meeting of the Council.
Following the attack on Alejandro, then Taoiseach Micheál Martin tasked Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to lead a review on dog control which has resulted in a working group being established to examine dog laws and enforcement.
The group will look at issues including fines under the Control of Dogs Act, enforcement at local authority level, the provision of dog wardens, microchipping, promoting responsible dog ownership and licences. The Working Group will meet over the coming days.
Alejandro’s family say he still has a long road of treatment ahead but they are thankful for all the support they have received.
WexfordLocal.com 