Dog owners are demonstrating a total lack of regard for livestock in recent weeks with no legislation in place to protect farmers, Wicklow IFA hill farming committee chair Peter Behan told the Irish Farmers Journal.

“Dogs are let off their leash and are allowed to freely wander across farmland as they please. This behaviour is totally irresponsible. Once the dog sees the sheep in the field it will chase after them,” Behan said.

“It’s a very busy time of year on farm and the most important thing is to ensure that ewes are protected from these attacks.

“From what I can see the will isn’t there from the authorities to hold dog owners responsible.”

Recent attacks

Kildare and west Wicklow IFA hill farming committee chair Kevin Hanlon described an incident where a dog attacked him while he was preventing an attack on his sheep.

“About a year ago a neighbour rang me to let me know that two dogs were chasing my sheep. I got to the field and ran in to break it up. Next thing the dogs turned on me and chased me on to a soil bank.

The neighbour went out and picked him up like nothing had happened

“The dogs were very intimidating and I was unable to get away from them. I called my son to bring down the gun and shoot them. I was very lucky that he was nearby.

“Just last Sunday a neighbour’s dog was out running after my ewes in the field.

“The neighbour went out and picked him up like nothing had happened. These attacks are becoming far too often.”

Owner’s responsibility

Vice-chair of the IFA Wicklow county executive Tom Byrne said that increased investment in dog control units in the county is required.

“The one point we must get across is that we’re not against dogs, many farmers are dog owners themselves. We have to keep them under control.

We may be able to catch the dogs but then unable to catch the owners

“It’s no use saying that my dog won’t kill. Every dog has the potential to.

“The real problem is the identification of dogs. We may be able to catch the dogs but then unable to catch the owners.

“These people need to be held responsible for the killing of innocent sheep.”

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