Aggressive Dolphin terrifies swimmers

People have been warned to keep on the lookout for an angry dolphin which ‘attacked’ five swimmers at Blackrock this week.
Experts believe the dolphin is likely to spend some time around Galway Bay, and may strike again.
A warning has been issued to stay away from the dolphin and to leave the water as quickly as possible if it returns.
One lady was struck by the dolphin’s tail, while a man suffered bruising after receiving a head-butt to the ribs.
He told the Galway City Tribune: “I couldn’t believe my eyes. The dolphin came between us and the tower. My friend, who is a weak swimmer, was genuinely horrified.
“We tried to swim away and she head-butted me in the ribs. It was like something out of a horror film,” he said.
The attack occurred shortly after 7pm on Wednesday, and the Coastguard was alerted at around 7.10pm after people heard cries for help.
Dr Simon Berrow from GMIT – an expert in dolphin behaviour – said: “It’s not normal behaviour for a dolphin to do that. This isn’t everyday dolphin behaviour.
“I would discourage people strongly from deliberately swimming with dolphins in general. A whack from a dolphin’s tail can cause a lot of damage; fractured vertebrae, punctured lungs. Do not grab it, splash the water … leave the water as quickly as possible.
“They hang around. It will most likely be back,” said Dr Berrow.
For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.