IFA Warns That Dog Owners Will Be Held Responsible for Dog Attacks on Sheep

Sheep Welfare Scheme

IFA National Sheep Chairman John Lynskey said the latest series of savage dog attacks on sheep flocks must lead to dog owners taking greater responsibility. He warned that owners who do not have their dog under control at all times must realise they could be held responsible for such an attack, with serious consequences”.

He also urged hill walkers with dogs to ensure that they are fully under control at all times, as dogs running wild can terrorise a flock of sheep.

The IFA National Sheep Chairman said, “Up to 2.5m lambs will be born on 30,000 sheep farms across the country over the next 4 months. Sheep flocks are very vulnerable to dog attacks at this critical time, and especially during the night.”

John Lynskey said a dog attack on a sheep flock is extremely stressful and can inflict savage injuries, often fatal. He said, “Aside from the economic losses, for which dog owners can be held liable, the welfare implications for the flock can be very severe and long-lasting. Sheep never recover fully from a dog attack and can suffer ongoing difficulties, including reproduction problems and increased nervousness affecting their general health.”

The IFA sheep farmers’ leader said under the Control of Dogs Act, it states very clearly: “If a dog worries livestock, the owner or any other person in charge of the dog shall be guilty of an offence unless it is established that at the material time the dog worried the livestock for the purpose of removing trespassing livestock and that having regard to all the circumstances the action was reasonable and necessary.”

John Lynskey also pointed out that under the law farmers are entitled to take whatever steps are necessary to protect their sheep flocks against marauding dogs on their lands.

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