The Wicklow Cheviot Sheep Owners Associationhas called on Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to sit down with all relevant stakeholders in an effort to create effective dog control measures.

Chair John Malone told the Irish Farmers Journal that the association supports a ban which sees dogs denied access to farmland and commonage areas where sheep are grazing.

“Attacks are happening far too often where walkers are bringing dogs up to the hills and letting them off the leash. Inevitably sheep get hunted and chased with devastating consequences,” Malone said.

“Farmers grazing sheep on mountain land are entitled to have their livelihoods and animals protected from the reckless behaviour of certain dog owners and the inaction of the Government to properly address the issue.”