The family of a baby who died after being attacked by a dog are asking people to be "vigilant and careful" when considering whether they want to bring a dog into their home.
An inquest into the death of three month old Mia O'Connell at her home in Waterford was held at Cork City Coroner's Court yesterday.
Coroner Philip Coymn heard that the baby was rushed to Cork University Hospital in an ambulance with a Garda escort after being attacked while sleeping by a terrier-cross dog in June 2021.
The Coroner described a previous incident where the dog had jumped up and attempted to snap at Mia when she was first brought home from hospital as a "missed oppurtunity" to prevent her death later that year...
He recorded the death as one of "misadventure" and said the public must be extremely vigilant with dogs as they can be unpredictable, especially around small children.
Speaking to RedFM News after the inquest, Mia's aunt Heidi O'Connell says their hearts are broken.
"It's unbearable, the pain is unbearable, I don't think it will ever go away.
"Our hearts are broken forever. It's like a nightmare. It's still like a nightmare. Three months old, full of smiles, full of giggles, and she was just taken away from us so abruptly, and so tragically."
Heidi is asking people to think carefully before getting a dog.
"This dog was a small terrier. He wasn't a big dog like a pitbull or anything like that, there was no indications that he was vicious. There were some concerns but you'd never in a million years think that something like this would happen to you or your family.
"I would ask people to be very very careful in the future, and make sure your family is safe."
