Damages for dog attack victim

A County Down woman, who was left with a lifelong fear of dogs after being attacked by two of the animals, has been awarded £27,500 in the High Court.

Sarah Taylor, 59, from Ardcane Park, Newry, was walking through the Springfarm Heights estate in the town in August 1998 when she was attacked by a terrier and a black mastiff.

Mr Justice Sheil referred to a psychiatrist's report which stated that Mrs Taylor had developed a phobic anxiety disorder as a result of the attacks.

The report stated that her condition was characterised by anxiety evoked solely or predominantly by encountering dogs.

'Concentrated attack'

Mr Sheil told the court that a large terrior called Charlie rushed out of a house and "seized her on her left wrist with his teeth".

"He held on to her as she struggled to become free and as she did so a second dog, a large black mastiff, ran out and put its large paws on to her back, causing her to fall to the ground," he said.

"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."

The damages were awarded against the dog owners Catherine O'Hare and John Farrell, both from Springfarm Heights.