Dog walkers will no longer have access to farmland under a new nationwide ban being rolled out by the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) on Monday 8 February.
IFA national sheep chair Sean Dennehy said farmers whose livestock are under threat from attacks have no choice but to refuse walkers with dogs’ access to their land.
The ban comes in response to a spate of dog attacks across the country in recent days.
Reckless owners
As part of the IFA campaign, farmers will be putting up “No Dogs Allowed” posters on farm gates across the country.
“There has been a significant increase in attacks in recent months. The message simply isn't getting through,” Dennehy said.
“We also have reports of farmers encountering verbal abuse and intimidation when they remind dog owners of their responsibilities and the dangers of letting their pets off the leash.”
The IFA has said appropriate sanctions are not in place to punish reckless behaviour on the part of some dog owners.
How many more farmers have to encounter their sheep torn apart by dogs or frightened into ditches and drains before those responsible are held accountable
Dennehy continued: “The only way to protect ewes that will be lambing in the coming weeks is to stop the threat at source. Farmers will refuse entry to members of the public with dogs to our lands to protect animals and livelihoods.
“A growing number of reckless dog owners have brought this on everybody else, and the inaction of authorities has forced farmers down this route.”
Accountability
The IFA reminds dog owners that sheep farmers are entitled under law to defend their livestock, and if their flock is threatened, the law does allow them to shoot the dog.
“The injuries inflicted on sheep by dogs are horrific. Often, those not killed have to be put down due to the extent of their injuries,” Dennehy explained.
“How many more farmers have to encounter their sheep torn apart by dogs or frightened into ditches and drains before those responsible are held accountable. Farmers have lost confidence in the willingness of the authorities to deal with this issue.”
Warden services
All dogs in Ireland are legally required to be microchipped and have a licence.
The latest report on the implementation of the Control of Dogs Act shows only 217,261 dogs are licensed out of an estimated 800,000.
The IFA has called for a national ownership database for all dogs to improve owner accountabilty.
“There must also be appropriate sanctions to act as a deterrent for those who allow their animals to cause this devastation on sheep farms and resources put in place to enforce these sanctions,” Dennehy concluded.
Read more
Sheep worrying: ‘dog owner nearly drove over the top of me during getaway’
‘Dog attacks causing higher barren rates in Kerry hill flocks’
Farmer describes ‘soul destroying’ dog attack on sheep
Dog walkers will no longer have access to farmland under a new nationwide ban being rolled out by the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) on Monday 8 February.
IFA national sheep chair Sean Dennehy said farmers whose livestock are under threat from attacks have no choice but to refuse walkers with dogs’ access to their land.
The ban comes in response to a spate of dog attacks across the country in recent days.
Reckless owners
As part of the IFA campaign, farmers will be putting up “No Dogs Allowed” posters on farm gates across the country.
“There has been a significant increase in attacks in recent months. The message simply isn't getting through,” Dennehy said.
“We also have reports of farmers encountering verbal abuse and intimidation when they remind dog owners of their responsibilities and the dangers of letting their pets off the leash.”
The IFA has said appropriate sanctions are not in place to punish reckless behaviour on the part of some dog owners.
How many more farmers have to encounter their sheep torn apart by dogs or frightened into ditches and drains before those responsible are held accountable
Dennehy continued: “The only way to protect ewes that will be lambing in the coming weeks is to stop the threat at source. Farmers will refuse entry to members of the public with dogs to our lands to protect animals and livelihoods.
“A growing number of reckless dog owners have brought this on everybody else, and the inaction of authorities has forced farmers down this route.”
Accountability
The IFA reminds dog owners that sheep farmers are entitled under law to defend their livestock, and if their flock is threatened, the law does allow them to shoot the dog.
“The injuries inflicted on sheep by dogs are horrific. Often, those not killed have to be put down due to the extent of their injuries,” Dennehy explained.
“How many more farmers have to encounter their sheep torn apart by dogs or frightened into ditches and drains before those responsible are held accountable. Farmers have lost confidence in the willingness of the authorities to deal with this issue.”
Warden services
All dogs in Ireland are legally required to be microchipped and have a licence.
The latest report on the implementation of the Control of Dogs Act shows only 217,261 dogs are licensed out of an estimated 800,000.
The IFA has called for a national ownership database for all dogs to improve owner accountabilty.
“There must also be appropriate sanctions to act as a deterrent for those who allow their animals to cause this devastation on sheep farms and resources put in place to enforce these sanctions,” Dennehy concluded.
Read more
Sheep worrying: ‘dog owner nearly drove over the top of me during getaway’
‘Dog attacks causing higher barren rates in Kerry hill flocks’
Farmer describes ‘soul destroying’ dog attack on sheep
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