A Wexford dog owner has been fined €3,000 after three Staffordshire bull terriers attacked a woman who had been directed to his home by Google Maps while searching for a property viewing.
Gary Sinnott (49), of Hilltown, Ballymitty, County Wexford, appeared before Wexford District Court, where Judge Kevin Staunton imposed the fine across multiple charges. The court heard the incident occurred on 26 August 2024.
The woman and her brother had been intending to view a property when Google Maps directions brought them to Sinnott’s address. She rang the buzzer at the electric gate to ask if they had arrived at the correct location.
The woman told the court three dark grey dogs that “looked like pit bulls” came through the gate and began jumping on her, snapping at her, and biting her legs. She kicked at them and retreated to the car for safety.
Sinnott arrived at the gate and told the pair where to find the correct property. When Sinnott was informed that his dogs had bitten the woman, he responded, “My dogs don’t bite.”
The brother and sister then went to the correct property, where the woman photographed the bites on her legs. She later attended Wexford General Hospital for her injuries.
The woman told the court the incident had left her with insomnia and nightmares. She said she has become afraid of dogs and feels paranoid when people are out walking them that a similar incident may occur.
Eileen O’Neill, solicitor for the defendant, put to the woman that the pair had shown up unannounced and “the dogs are entitled to be on their owner’s property.” She responded, “with the gates closed if they are an aggressive breed.”
O’Neill also suggested the dogs may have snapped after the woman began kicking them away, which she denied.
Garda John Buggy attended the scene following the incident along with the dog warden. Gda Buggy described the dogs as “fine and playful” in temperament.
Sinnott did not hold licences for the three dogs, which are a restricted breed under the Control of Dogs Act 1986. He stated that when the buzzer went for the gate, he briefly spoke to the pair before buzzing the gates open and going down to meet them.
He admitted losing sight of the three dogs for approximately 10 seconds on his way to the gate. Sinnott stated they wear shock collars and would not go outside the property.
Sinnott described himself as an experienced dog owner, having kept this particular breed for over 20 years. He said his current dogs are calm in temperament and have acted as therapy dogs for his children. He added he has kept livestock, including poultry, for a number of years without any incidents.
Sinnott accepted the woman was bitten and sustained injuries but claimed there are similar dogs owned by neighbouring properties.
Judge Staunton rejected the claim about neighbouring dogs, describing it as “fantasy land.” He expressed concern at what he said was a lack of empathy shown by the accused.
The judge said he was unimpressed with how Sinnott handled the matter, stating he lacked empathy and honour in his unapologetic nature towards the injured party. He noted a custodial or suspended sentence had been considered.
Judge Staunton highlighted that Sinnott owns a dangerous breed, adding that owners of such dogs must be more vigilant than those with other breeds. He described them as “a frightening animal to look at” and said he “can’t imagine what it is like to have them biting at you.”
After viewing photographs of the marks on the woman’s legs, the judge described the event as “horrific.”
Judge Staunton imposed a €500 fine in connection with each charge, bringing the total to €3,000, and allowed six months to pay.