A Wicklow farmer has won a substantial judgement to compensate him for losses following a dog attack on his sheep flock. On 22 September 2013, Seamus Flood’s flock was attacked on his land in Lake Park, Roundwood. Neighbours arrived and the gardai were called. Two dogs were involved in the attack – one was a Rottweiler.

Neighbour Stephen Dalton admitted ownership of the dogs, which were put down.

Seven sheep were killed on the day and Dalton was prepared to accept responsibility for their actions.

However, he refused to accept any liability for 10 further deaths that occurred in the following days and for consequential losses, such as reduced fertility for 2014 and sheep pining due to stress.

Seamus Flood decided to pursue a civil case against Stephen Dalton and a Garda prosecution was adjourned last June pending that case.

The civil action was heard at Wicklow circuit court in Bray. The judge found in favour of Flood, awarding him over €7,000 for his losses.

“I’m sick and tired of innocent, defenceless sheep being used as playthings by dogs,” said Seamus Flood.

He estimates that over 100 sheep have been killed in his area by dogs in recent years – 32 in one attack alone.

IFA sheep chairman John Lynskey says that this case clearly shows that under the law dog owners will be held responsible for dog attacks on sheep.

Mandatory microchipping On Friday, Minister Simon Coveney announced details of compulsory microchipping for all dogs.

Microchipping will commence for pups this September and compulsory microchipping will be extended to all dogs by March 2016.

When chipped, dogs must be registered with one of a number of approved private databases. No new central database will be developed. Databases will be required to be part of europetnet.ie, which acts as a clearing house for searches of microchip numbers.

“Microchipping of all dogs will provide a basic tool to protect the welfare of all dogs and assist with speedily uniting stray dogs with their owners,” said Minister Coveney.

“Furthermore, it will act as a deterrent for those who abandon dogs and assist in identifying marauding dogs and those that pose a threat to livestock or people.”

There are no definitive numbers for dog ownership in Ireland. It is estimated that there are as many as 600,000 unlicensed dogs in the country.

The licence fee is €20, meaning €20m would be generated if one million dogs were to be licensed. Farmers want to see such funds used to improve the dog warden service. The IFA welcomed the announcement. John Lynskey said microchipping should not result in extra costs for dog owners.

“A central database would make this initiative much more effective” he added.

The ISPCA has also come out in favour of microchipping.