Attack took place in woman’s home
Stock image of a pit bull dog
A woman has suffered serious head and facial injuries following an attack by a pitbull terrier in her own home.
The woman is understood to have been attacked shortly after 2pm in her home in Carlow town.
It’s understood the woman owned two dogs – one of which turned on her.
Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene which has been preserved to allow for a technical examination.
In a statement, gardaí said the woman is being treated in hospital for serious injuries.
They said the dog is believed to be a restricted breed and has since been put down.
“Gardaí and emergency services attended following reports of a dog attack at a residential property in Carlow Town this afternoon, Tuesday 30th December 2025.
“A woman, aged in her late 50s, has been removed from the scene by air ambulance to the Mater Hospital Dublin, for treatment of injuries believed to be serious.
“The services of the Dog Warden were requested and the dog was euthanised by a vet at the scene.
“The dog is believed to be of a restricted breed.”
New figures released last week showed 73 XL Bully dogs have been put down around the country since a ban on the breed came into effect last February.
Stock image of a pit bull dog
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – Tuesday, Dec 30
The XL Bully became a controversial breed after a number of attacks on people, with several dogs subsequently seized and put down.
In order to deal with the safety issue, strict controls were introduced to ensure the breed would be controlled and eventually die out.
Fingal in Dublin, Limerick, Louth, and Cork county had the most XL Bully dogs put down in the last year.
In October last year, when the new legislation was announced, the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of the dogs was banned, and owners were given time to apply for certificates of exemption for pets they already owned.