THE family of dog mauling victim Alejandro Mizsan say they are “blessed” to celebrate the brave schoolboy turning 12 – as an XL Bully ban kicks in today.
Ministers moved to bring in tough new laws to clampdown on the devil dogs after being left outraged by the horror attack on little Alejandro.
Traumatised Alejandro, who was nine at the time, was playing with pals near his family home in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, when he was savaged by an XL Bully dog which was roaming freely.
Following a campaign, a ban on XL Bully dogs finally comes into force today, meaning it will be illegal to keep one unless the owner has a certificate of exemption.
And the Irish Sun can reveal courageous Alejandro had another big reason to celebrate this week after turning 12.
The car-mad birthday boy tucked into a special BMW themed cake with pals in Wexford.
And releasing photos of the 12th birthday bash, Alejandro’s family paid tribute to their lad, describing him as “an angel”.
Mum Otilia said: “We are the happiest parents because 12 years ago God sent you to our family. We are blessed family happy birthday Alejandro.”
Dad Ion Florin added: “Today is a special day for us. We thank God for blessing us with an angel.
“We want to tell all our family happy birthday and good health may God fulfill all your wishes little angel we love you so much happy birthday Alejandro.”
Alejandro’s 12th birthday celebrations came as new laws to ban XL Bully dogs were being rolled out.
Last March, Karen Miller and Niall Byrne were given two-year jail terms over a number of offences linked to the brutal dog attack.
From today it will be illegal to own an XL Bully dog unless you have a certificate of exemption.
The certificate will specify the dog’s licence details, microchip details, neutering details, age and description.
POSSIBLE PENATLIES
It will also specify the dog owner’s name, address, date of birth and contact number.
Any owner found to be in breach of the new laws risks a fine of up to €2,500 and/or imprisonment of a term of up to 3 months.
Tragically, last June, Nicole Lisa Marie Morey, 23, was killed by her dogs at her home in Fedamore, Co Limerick.
COURT ORDERS PAUSE ON NEW LAW
A NEW law that would allow XL Bully dogs in the care of animal welfare organisations to be seized or euthanised has been paused.
The High Court put a stay on a new regulation – due to come into force today – that would have allowed agents for the Minister for Rural Development to take action against the dangerous breed.
But on Friday, Mr Justice John Jordan granted the injunction after noting the lack of a review mechanism in the regulations over a dog warden’s assessment of the dog breed in advance of it being euthanised.
However, the judge refused an application from the charities petitioning the court to order a second injunction on the regulatory ban preventing the dog shelters and relevant bodies from re-homing the dogs from today.
The stay imposed by Mr Justice Jordan is until February 27, when a substantive hearing is due to take place at the High Court on the broader aspects of the Control of Dogs 2024 regulations relating to the XL Bully breed.
Mr Justice Jordan said he was making the ruling while being conscious of public safety and in the context of dog attacks that have left people with irreparable and even fatal injuries.
