Urgent Intervention Needed to Address Escalating Number of Dog Attacks on Livestock

Following a number of dog attacks on sheep this week, IFA National Sheep Chair Adrian Gallagher is again highlighting the urgent need for intervention to address the escalating issue of dog attacks on livestock.

The attacks that occurred in Roscommon, Sligo and Tipperary this week resulted in significant losses for the effected farmers involved. He said these are not isolated incidents but part of a concerning trend that continues to devastate sheep farmers nationwide.

IFA has continuously called for a centralised data base for all dogs correlating licensing and microchipping to identify the owner of the dog and to increase the number of dog wardens on the ground but this hasn’t happened.

He said the lack of robust enforcement of existing laws continues to allow dogs to run riot on farms across the country.

The Government and various state agencies with responsibilities in this area have failed to put appropriate sanctions in place to deal with irresponsible dog ownership and its unacceptable.

Adrian Gallagher said farmers are losing patience with the authority’s inactive response on the issue and said there is urgent need to strengthen legislation by implementing the necessary controls to tackle the issue of irresponsible dog ownership immediately.

He said Its time the authorities step up and recognise the gravity of the situation and take immediate and decisive action to address the issue.

Dog owners are been reminded that they should take heed that they are fully liable for any damages caused to sheep by their dogs.

The IFA National Sheep Chair said dogs are not allowed in or near farmland and stressed the need for responsible conduct among dog owners to ensure the safety of farmers livestock.