A GERMAN Shepherd Jog named Max who bit a schoolgirl in the stomach was protecting his territory, a court was told.
Caroline O'Driscoll, of Meelick Park, Ballyvolane, Cork, sued Michael and Mary Murphy of Riverview House, Ballyvolane, for her injuries and was awarded £5,250 by Judge A.G. Murphy in the Cork Circuit Court.
Ms O'Driscoll, now 17, said she called to the house on May 1st, 1994, seeking sponsorship for a school walk. Mrs Murphy came out of a side gate followed by the dog which ran at her and bit her.
She knew the dog and it had never before attempted to attack her. She was surprised at what had happened and was nervous of dogs since.
Replying to Ms Lorraine O'Sullivan, Ms O'Driscoll said she did not see any notices warning about the dog in the yard.
Mrs Murphy said the dog was with her in the house. She heard the gate creak and when she looked she saw Ms O'Driscoll standing by the gate. Max was in the house and he sprang out.
Mrs Murphy got a terrible shock and asked the girl why she came to the gate and did she not see the Beware of the Dogs signs. "She told me she did not take any notice of signs as she knew Max well," said Mrs Murphy.
