Ferland Mendy, the Real Madrid and France left-back, will appear before a Spanish court after one of his dogs was allegedly involved in an attack that left a teenage boy injured and resulted in the death of another animal, according to reports emerging from Spain on Tuesday.
The case stems from an incident in January 2023 in Alcobendas, the upscale Madrid suburb where the 31-year-old defender resides.
According to Spanish media accounts, four dogs belonging to Mendy escaped from his property after a gate was inadvertently left open while a vehicle was entering the grounds. Once loose, the animals are said to have caused a chain of injuries before being brought back under control.
The most serious consequence, according to the reports, came when one of the dogs attacked a pet belonging to a local woman. The injuries sustained were severe enough that the animal reportedly had to be euthanized at a later date.
As the situation escalated, a 17-year-old boy is said to have attempted to intervene, only to be bitten himself. A dog belonging to a relative, which the teenager was walking at the time, was also caught up in the attack.
Court documents dated January 7 and reviewed by AFP confirm that the matter has now progressed to trial. A private prosecution, understood to represent the injured parties, is seeking a six-month prison sentence against Mendy on the basis of causing injury through gross negligence, alongside financial penalties.
Separately, the public prosecutor’s office has taken a less severe stance, requesting only fines, having classified the matter as a minor offence relating to causing injury.
The differing positions between the private and public prosecutions could prove significant as the case heads toward proceedings, with the harsher custodial request coming solely from those representing the alleged victims rather than the state.
Mendy joined Real Madrid in 2019 from French club Lyon and has gone on to make over 150 appearances for the Spanish giants, contributing to multiple league and European triumphs. However, his time in the Spanish capital has frequently been interrupted by injury problems, limiting his consistency at left-back in recent seasons.
Real Madrid have not yet issued a public statement regarding the case, and it remains unclear when proceedings will formally begin. This is a developing story, and further details are expected as the legal process unfolds.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Ferland Mendy faces trial after one of his dogs escaped his Madrid property and attacked a teenager and two other animals, with prosecutors and private litigants pushing for a six-month prison sentence over gross negligence, while the public prosecutor seeks only fines.
