Concerns over dog attacks on sheep

MAYO County Council, in conjunction with the IFA, has highlighted the worrying number of attacks on sheep by dogs in the county over the last few weeks.These attacks have resulted in sheep and lambs dying from their injuries, lambs being aborted and stock not thriving.

Statistics collated by the IFA indicate that the problem of dog attacks on sheep may be in the order of 300 to 400 attacks per annum, with 3,000 to 4,000 sheep injured and killed.

IFA national sheep chairman John Lynskey has warned dog owners that their pets can inflict horrendous damage on a flock and the owners can be held responsible for the losses involved, with serious financial and legal consequences. He said dog owners are responsible for ensuring their pets are under control at all times.

Mayo County Council’s dog warden, Fiona Murphy, is asking dog owners to be vigilant by knowing where their dog is at all times.

“I receive calls regularly from farmers who have suffered serious loss and trauma as a result of loose dogs attacking flocks. Any dog can do a lot of damage to sheep in a short length of time. All dogs should wear a collar with owner details and be licensed,” she said.

The IFA has developed a protocol for farmers who encounter a dog attack on their sheep flock and it is available on www.ifa.ie and also on www.mayococo.ie.