Up to 4,000 sheep killed or seriously injured every year in dog attacks

TWO Ministers have joined forces in warning dog owners to keep their pets under control at all times, as the lambing season gets under way.

Agriculture Minister, Charlie McConalogue along with Minister for Rural and Community development, Heather Humphreys, said that the issue was one of ‘grave concern’ for sheep farmers.

According to the Ministers, the figures for dog worrying of sheep flocks in 2020, showed that there were 240 reports of such incidents occurring.

They said that dog attacks caused serious injury or death to sheep and can cause serious distress and financial loss for farm families.

This week, Minister Humphreys and McConalogue a sheep farm in West Dublin where they announced the start of an awareness campaign that will run over the course of the lambing season.

Minister Humphreys said that dog attacks on sheep can have a devastating impact on farmers, their business, and their families.

“I’m a dog owner myself and I know the vast majority of dog owners are extremely responsible.

“As the lambing season begins, we are hearing more and more reports of incidents in rural Ireland.

‘‘Some 2.5 million lambs will be born on farms all over Ireland this springtime. Sheep flocks are very vulnerable to dog attacks at this critical time, and especially during the night,” she said.

According to Minister McConalogue reports suggest that 4,000 sheep are killed or seriously injured in dog attacks every year.

‘‘Dog owners must take responsibility for their pets, which must be under control at all times – remember, even the gentlest family pet can kill or maim sheep and lambs. Never let your dog out unsupervised, especially at night.”

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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