Two dogs that have been responsible for a series of savage attacks on cattle in Colehill, Co Longford, have been caught.
The male and female Pitbull-French Mastiff-cross dogs attacked a local farmer’s weanling herd on five separate occasions.
“I’m left with four calves without ears and another one had to be put down,” said the herdowner.
The weanlings needed veterinary treatment.
The owner of the pitbulls initially denied any responsibility. However, they did subsequently admit fault and installed a cage to keep the dogs on his property.
The cattle suffered four separate attacks before the farmer decided to hold a 24-hour watch for approximately two weeks.
As the dogs would return to their cage after each attack, there was little that An Garda Síochána or the Longford Dog Control Services could do to retain the dogs.
A fifth attack was carried out on the herd after the dogs escaped their cage, but locals were able to keep one of the dogs in the field where he was shot. The second dog was retained and humanely euthanised by Longford Dog Control Services.
One cow had to be euthanised as a result of its injuries.
“I don’t really blame the dogs,” said the farmer. "It’s the owner that should be keeping them in at night."
Hillary Robinson of Longford Dog Control Services said: “It was horrendous, I’ve never seen such a vicious attack to be honest."
She said that prosecution would have to be be considered. She was fearful for the public and everybody’s livestock in the area.
“Farmers need to report incidences like this straight away, A) to the Guards, and B) to the wardens; otherwise we can’t do anything,” said Robinson.
According to the farmer, the loss of the calf, veterinary services, stress to the herd and the entire experience has cost him “upwards of €4,000” in damages.
If the dog’s owner is prosecuted, he could face heavy fines and a ban on future dog ownership.
Read more
Graphic images: calf savaged by two pit bulls in Longford
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Two dogs that have been responsible for a series of savage attacks on cattle in Colehill, Co Longford, have been caught.
The male and female Pitbull-French Mastiff-cross dogs attacked a local farmer’s weanling herd on five separate occasions.
“I’m left with four calves without ears and another one had to be put down,” said the herdowner.
The weanlings needed veterinary treatment.
The owner of the pitbulls initially denied any responsibility. However, they did subsequently admit fault and installed a cage to keep the dogs on his property.
The cattle suffered four separate attacks before the farmer decided to hold a 24-hour watch for approximately two weeks.
As the dogs would return to their cage after each attack, there was little that An Garda Síochána or the Longford Dog Control Services could do to retain the dogs.
A fifth attack was carried out on the herd after the dogs escaped their cage, but locals were able to keep one of the dogs in the field where he was shot. The second dog was retained and humanely euthanised by Longford Dog Control Services.
One cow had to be euthanised as a result of its injuries.
“I don’t really blame the dogs,” said the farmer. "It’s the owner that should be keeping them in at night."
Hillary Robinson of Longford Dog Control Services said: “It was horrendous, I’ve never seen such a vicious attack to be honest."
She said that prosecution would have to be be considered. She was fearful for the public and everybody’s livestock in the area.
“Farmers need to report incidences like this straight away, A) to the Guards, and B) to the wardens; otherwise we can’t do anything,” said Robinson.
According to the farmer, the loss of the calf, veterinary services, stress to the herd and the entire experience has cost him “upwards of €4,000” in damages.
If the dog’s owner is prosecuted, he could face heavy fines and a ban on future dog ownership.
Read more
Graphic images: calf savaged by two pit bulls in Longford
The Big Dealer: pro-farmer billboard campaign gathering momentum
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