Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy has been ordered to stand trial following an incident in January 2023 in which one of his dogs allegedly attacked a 17-year-old boy. The private prosecution is seeking a six-month prison sentence for causing injury by gross negligence, along with fines, according to a Madrid court document dated January 7 and seen by AFP.
Incident Details
Spanish media reports indicate that the events occurred in January 2023 when four dogs owned by Mendy escaped from his property in the affluent Madrid suburb of Alcobendas. The gate was left open after a vehicle entered. One of the dogs bit another woman's dog, which was injured and later euthanized. A 17-year-old boy who tried to intervene was bitten, along with a relative's dog he was walking.
Legal Demands
The boy's lawyers have called for Mendy to be jailed for six months for causing injury through gross negligence. The Public Prosecutor's Office requests that Mendy compensate victims as follows: €450 to the owner of the dachshund that died, €4,970 to the injured teenager for physical injuries and permanent scars, and €240 to the owner of the injured German Shorthaired Pointer for veterinary expenses. The private prosecution seeks higher damages: €20,000 for the injured teenager and €2,500 for the owner of the second injured dog.
Trial Proceedings
The case will proceed to trial at Madrid's Court No. 26, though no date has been set. The Madrid prosecutors' office stated: “Mendy contravened the demanded levels of vigilance for the dogs. It created a genuinely dangerous situation for people and other animals.” The court will determine whether Mendy bears criminal responsibility for the alleged negligence and resulting injuries.
