The family of a nine-year-old boy left with life-changing injuries after being mauled by a pit bull has revealed their grief that he won’t be coming home from the hospital for Christmas.
But Alejandro Mizsan’s older brother has spoken about how the boy will continue to struggle and hopes he can help him keep up with his school work while he recovers.
Alejandro was playing in a green area of the Old Forge Road estate in Enniscorthy, Wexford on Sunday when a pit bull, who was off leash and without a muzzle, attacked him around 4pm.
The primary school pupil suffered serious facial injuries and remains hospitalized at Crumlin Children’s Hospital after undergoing two surgeries.
The dog was later euthanized. His brother Raúl, 21, said Alejandro is expected to stay in the hospital until January, and could stay longer, meaning the boy will miss Christmas at his house.
Raul told the Irish Mirror: “No, he won’t be coming home for Christmas. He usually really enjoys Christmas time and that time of year but it will be very hard not to have him home this Christmas.”
Brave brother Raúl says he hopes he can help Alejandro catch up with his education as the boy is expected to miss several months at the local St Aidan’s primary school.
He told The Mirror, “After a couple of months, when we get back to Enniscorthy, I am going to do homework with him. I will go to the school and get the work and then come back and do the homework with him.”
Alejandro could require surgery abroad after the dog ripped open his face, with his lower lip and both cheeks severely injured.
And Raúl greeted the Enniscorthy community, who organized a fundraiser that has seen donations of €152,000 so far.
Raúl said: “We are very thankful to everybody for all of the donations,” reports The Mirror.
According to The Mirror, he added: “Alejandro loves Conor McGregor and he’s going to keep fighting like McGregor.”
Neighbors from the Old Forge Road estate joined the family, shopping for them and buying Alejandro a tablet to help him during his hospital stay.
Byrne, residing at Forgelands, Enniscorthy, Wexford, is also charged with dangerous driving, without tax or insurance on November 4.
He was remanded in custody to appear again on December 5.
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