The devastation caused by two recent dog attacks has been described as shocking and not good enough by the IFA.

This comes on the back of two dog attacks on sheep in recent days which have left more than 60 lambs dead.

The attacks occurred in Moneygall on the Offaly-Tipperary border, and in Moyvalley, Co Kildare.

Some 50 lambs were killed in the attack in Tipperary and 20 lambs were attacked by dogs in Kildare, with 12 confirmed dead and eight missing in Moyvalley.

“The devastation caused by these attacks is shocking. For any farmer to go and check your stock and to find a scene like this is very distressing,” IFA sheep chair Kevin Comiskey said.

He added that it is simply not good enough for dogs to be allowed to roam free and cause the level of damage that took place in recent days.

He argued that Ireland needs stronger regulation around dog ownership.

In a delegation led to meet Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys and Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue earlier this year, the IFA put forward measures that are needed to curb dog attacks.

“Unfortunately, we haven’t seen progress on any of these proposals in the past number of months and the attacks have continued.

“The persistent failure of the authorities has frustrated farmers who have suffered significant losses as a result of dog attacks, and those attacks continue to take place across the country,” Comiskey said.

He added that there had been “constructive discussions” with Minister Humphreys and Minister McConalogue back in May, but that no action has been seen.

The IFA has outlined priority actions to tackle the issue which include

a single national database for all dogs in the country that identifies the person responsible for the dog.

Tougher sanctions for those who fail to have their dog under their control at all times and for those whose dogs are identified worrying/attacking livestock is another priority action.

Meanwhile, additional resources to ensure compliance with the obligations of dog owners is also another ask of the IFA.

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