CHRISTOPHER MCFEELY V MURDOCK'S (DERRY)

Londonderry County Courthouse
28 February 2003
Deputy Judge Edgar

The Plaintiff in this case claimed that he was bitten by a dog at the Defendant's premises on 21 October 1999. His physical injury was a graze to his right leg. He attended the Health Centre but did not have to see the GP. He was given treatment by way of a Tetanus injection and a spray.

The major part of his injury was an alleged psychiatric upset. He claimed that he has had a phobic anxiety of dogs since the date of the accident which affected his daily activities. He complained of loss of confidence although he had not had any formal medical treatment for that. Medical evidence was given on his behalf by Dr. Sadler, Consultant Psychiatrist. The Plaintiff was awarded £7,500 for general damages. Reference was also made by his Counsel to a case of Taylor v O'Hare & Farrell [2002] NI QB 59 in which Mr. Justice Shiel had awarded £10,000 to a Plaintiff for a phobic anxiety disorder involving a fear of dogs lasting a similar period. In that case however the Plaintiff had been left with multiple teeth marks and puncture wounds.