A devastating dog attack on the Longford/Leitrim border last week resulted in a farmer’s sheep flock being wiped out.

According to Longford Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) sheep representative Joe Esler, the attack resulted in 21 out of the 27 ewe flock being lost, with a number of other ewes euthanised on welfare grounds.

Upwards of 30 lambs were also lost in the attack.

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Missing sheep

Esler said that a significant number of sheep had yet to be recovered, with many entering a rapidly moving river during the attack.

The dogs in question have been caught, with one shot at the scene of the attack, while the second was injured and subsequently captured.

Esler said the dogs in question were involved in two previous attacks on sheep in the days preceding the devastating attack described above.

He said the dogs were apprehended during the second attack in which up to 10 sheep were lost or injured.

The matter has been referred to gardaí for investigation.