A baby girl is being treated at Cork University Hospital after being attacked by a restricted breed dog, believed to be an XL bully, in Co Kerry.
The attack happened near Lixnaw in north Kerry on Saturday evening.
Gardaí have confirmed that the child, understood to be around one year old, was seriously injured during the attack and is currently receiving treatment at CUH.
The dog was brought to a local veterinary practice and has since been destroyed.
A garda investigation into the circumstances is under way.
Last month, the Government confirmed it is to ban XL bully dogs, starting this October.
The two-phase ban will begin on 1 October when breeding, re-homing, re-selling and importing of XL bullys will be outlawed.
A full ban on owning one of the dogs, without a certificate of exemption, will come into effect on 1 February next year.
This will bring Ireland into line with Britain and Northern Ireland.
The ban followed a spate of dog attacks this year, including one which led to the death of Nicole Morey in Limerick who was killed by her dogs at her home in Fedamore in early June.
A young boy, Alejandro Mizsan, was left with serious injuries following an attack by an XL bully in November 2022 while playing near his home in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.
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