Woman Hospitalized with Serious Injuries Following Dog Attack

A woman was seriously injured after a dog attack at a home in southwestern Ireland, though she is expected to survive.

On Friday, Dec. 12, emergency services responded to an incident involving a dog at a residential property in Pallaskenry in County Limerick, the Gardaí (the national police force) tells PEOPLE in a statement. A woman in her 30s was then transported to the hospital in Limerick with critical, but non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Following the attack, the dog was removed by the dog warden. The animal is reportedly an XL bully-type dog, The Irish Times, the Limerick Leader and CorkBeo reported.

An XL bully is the largest type of American bully dog, according to the BBC. The UK government describes them as big dogs “with a muscular body and blocky head, suggesting great strength and power,” the outlet reported.

“The XL Bully type dog is a variant of the wider American Bully breed type,” Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said. “The XL Bully type dog is typically larger (both in terms of height and body shape) and more muscular than other American Bully breed types such as the ‘Micro’, ‘Pocket’, ‘Standard’ and ‘Classic.’ ”

Last February, the XL Bully breed was outlawed in Ireland, but people can still own the dogs if they secure an exemption certificate, The Irish Times reported. They can be obtained after an owner proves their XL Bully is neutered, microchipped and licensed, otherwise they can be taken by authorities and euthanized, according to the outlet. 

“This means when in a public place, these dogs must be securely muzzled and kept on a strong chain or leash (maximum 2 metres in length),” the government of Ireland said of the ban, “by a person over 16 years of age who is capable of controlling the dog.”

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Following the attack on Friday, the dog is scheduled to be put down, the Limerick Leader reported.