THE coroner is to call an animal behaviour expert to give evidence at the inquest of a Newtownabbey schoolboy mauled to death by a family pet.
Coroner Suzanne Anderson was speaking at a preliminary hearing ahead of a full inquest into the death of 10-year-old Ryan Busa.
The schoolboy died after he was attacked by an Alsatian dog at his home at Queens Avenue in Glengormley on October 2017.
Paramedics were called to the scene when Ryan was discovered covered in blood. He was taken to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children for treatment, however he died a short time later from injuries to his neck caused by dog bites.
Hundreds of people attended the popular schoolboy's funeral, including children of Ashgrove PS where he had been a P7 pupil.
His father, Mark Busa, originally from Lithuania, was in attendance at yesterday's preliminary hearing. Ryan's mother was not in attendance, however, the coroner said she would be kept informed of all proceedings.
Counsel for Mr Busa said that legal aid issues permitting, he would like to call a veterinary behavioural expert to give evidence and would also be submitting to the court videos, showing the dog in and around the family home prior to the tragedy.
However, coroner Ms Anderson said her office would be engaging an animal expert to give evidence at the inquest.
The court was adjourned until June 4, when a date for the full hearing will be set.
