Pubdate: Sat, 23 May 2015 Source: Irish Independent (Ireland) Copyright: Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Ltd Contact: http://www.independent.ie/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/213 Author: Paul Williams Page: 8 GARDAI CUT WITH KNIVES AND SAVAGED BY PITBULL THREE detectives were slashed with a knife and then attacked by a pitbull dog when they went to carry out a drug search at a house in Co Louth yesterday morning. The incident happened in the rural townland of Sandpit, between Termonfeckin and Drogheda, at around 10am. Gardai from Ardee station arrived at a property with a search warrant. Sources said that a man, originally from Dublin, lashed out at the three men with a number of knives when he answered the front door. The officers suffered defensive slash wounds to their arms and hands as they fended off the onslaught before the attacker retreated inside. Two of the officers were then bitten when the suspect set a pitbull on them as they pursued him into the house. Injuries The gardai beat off the animal and overpowered their attacker. It is understood that the suspect, who is aged in his 30s, then retreated back into the house. A man was arrested at the scene and was taken to Drogheda garda station while the detectives were treated for their injuries at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. It is understood that the injuries were not serious and the officers were given tetanus shots before being discharged. The pitbull was taken away to a dog pound. A quantity of cannabis plants were later found in a search of the house, which is situated in a quiet country area close to the sea. Last night, former garda and Louth county councillor Richie Culhane paid tribute to the three injured officers. And he urged members of the public living in rural areas to report suspicious people or activity to gardai. "This shows the dangers gardai are faced with every day when tackling dangerous criminals, especially ones involved in drug crime," said Mr Culhane. "These three men are lucky that they didn't sustain much more serious injuries and I want to commend their bravery," he added. The former Mayor of Drogheda described the area where the attack took place as a "very respectable and settled community". He said: "It is very worrying that something like this can happen just out of the blue in an area like this. "I would urge everyone to be aware of any suspicious people moving into quiet country areas or suspicious activity to contact the gardai." - --- MAP posted-by: Matt