The family of tragic Mia O’Connell say their hearts are forever broken following the loss of their "angel".
The three month old baby died at Cork University Hospital after she was attacked by a terrier-cross dog while sleeping at her home in Waterford in June 2021.
At an inquest at Cork City Coroner’s Court today, Coroner Philip Comyn ruled Mia’s death as "misadventure".
He said people must understand that while dog ownership has it’s benefits, extreme vigilance is needed as dogs can be unpredictable.
He said opportunities had been missed when the dog had previously attempted to snap at the baby and stressed that the dangers of dog ownership must be highlighted in the wake of the tragedy.
Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster told today’s hearing that Mia would have fallen unconscious very quickly and would not have felt any pain.
Speaking to RedFM News after the inquest, Mia’s aunt Heidi O’Connell urged the public to think carefully before bringing a dog into their home:
