IFA sheep chairman, Sean Dennehy, has called on Minister Charlie McConalogue, to implement necessary controls as a matter of urgency to tackle irresponsible dog ownership.
He said farmers’ patience with the authorities on this issue is “fast running out”.
An incident in the last week left over twenty more sheep fatalities from dog attacks in Co Tipperary.
Dennehy said the significant increase of dog attacks in recent months is “a serious concern” for sheep farmers. He stressed that the message is “simply not getting through”.
Tackle irresponsible dog ownership
“The Minister for Agriculture must advance controls and enforcements for negligent dog owners.”
“We need a single national database for all dogs in the country that identifies the dog owner who is responsible,” he said.
“There must be appropriate sanctions in place for those who fail to have their dog under control at all times and for those whose dogs are identified worrying/attacking livestock,” he said.
The IFA sheep chairman said the lack of action from the government and local authorities to put appropriate sanctions in place to deal with the irresponsible behaviour of dog owners is “unacceptable”.
He confirmed the IFA’s ‘No Dogs Allowed’ campaign will continue.
Its purpose is to highlight the damage uncontrolled dogs inflict on cattle and sheep. Also, it strives to urgent the need for appropriate legislation to protect farmers and their livestock.
Cow’s death after dog attack prompts call for law change
Meanwhile, a farmer is calling on the public to sign a petition to support Gladis’ Law.
It seeks to change legislation to make it mandatory to keep dogs on leads when walking near livestock.
The campaign is the result of the death of Gladis, a Highland cow, which, along with her full-time unborn calf, were killed by “two dogs off their lead”.
The incident occurred on Eggardon Hill in Dorset on May 26th, 2021, as reported by us.
“We are campaigning for a change in law to insist that dogs are kept on leads when in areas where livestock could be.”
“Also, we are working on educating dog owners on the capabilities of their dogs. We want dog owners to understand that no dog can be 100% guaranteed not to chase. Popping dogs on leads when near livestock is the responsible thing to do.”
