The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) has launched the 2026 ‘No Dogs Allowed’ campaign with Comhairle na Tuaithe, following a number of recent dog attacks.
Comhairle na Tuaithe is made up of representatives from farming organisations, recreational users of the countryside, and state bodies with a responsibility or interest in the countryside. This is the first time Comhairle na Tuaithe has joined with the IFA to launch the campaign in an aim to reinforce the responsibility that comes with being a dog owner.
IFA president, Francie Gorman has said that the scourge of dog attacks recently must be confronted with the full rigours of the law.
“The reality is that dog owners who behave irresponsibly don’t believe there will be consequences for their actions. Until the authorities devote the resources needed to crack down on this behaviour, the devastation caused by dog attacks will continue,” he stated.
Comhairle na Tuaithe chair Éamon Ó Cúiv said: “We all need to be mindful that many of our trails and walking routes are on private lands and without the goodwill of farmers we would not have access to many areas of the countryside.”
Comhairle na Tuaithe has acknowledged the importance of dog ownership and the provision of dog-friendly facilities, however they have recognised that some areas are not suitable to bring a dog to, including upland areas of farmland. They said that dog owners must take responsibility and respect landowners who have allowed access to their lands.
The IFA has appealed that the government and local authorities have not done enough on the matter, despite the ‘No Dogs Allowed’ campaign which has been running since 2021.
National database
IFA sheep chair Adrian Gallagher has said the IFA has called for a single national database to identify dogs and their owners should be developed in addition to the necessary sanction.
“The critical issue in the first instance is to have all dogs in the country microchipped, registered to the owner and licensed in order to establish a national database for all dogs and the person responsible for the dog,” he stated.
“It’s a critical time of the year as lambing is taking place. Dogs are not allowed on or near farmland and we are asking dog owners to behave in a responsible way and adhere to this.
“The lack of robust enforcement of the legal obligations on dog owners has allowed horrendous attacks to persist and increase across the country,” Gallagher has said.
In his concluding remarks, Gallagher said: “We are demanding stronger regulations and stricter enforcement for those who disregard the safety and wellbeing of our livestock.
“It is also important to remind dog owners that they are fully liable for any damages caused to farmers and their livestock and dogs found on our lands can be shot.”
Read more
Sheep flock wiped out in dog attack
The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) has launched the 2026 ‘No Dogs Allowed’ campaign with Comhairle na Tuaithe, following a number of recent dog attacks.
Comhairle na Tuaithe is made up of representatives from farming organisations, recreational users of the countryside, and state bodies with a responsibility or interest in the countryside. This is the first time Comhairle na Tuaithe has joined with the IFA to launch the campaign in an aim to reinforce the responsibility that comes with being a dog owner.
IFA president, Francie Gorman has said that the scourge of dog attacks recently must be confronted with the full rigours of the law.
“The reality is that dog owners who behave irresponsibly don’t believe there will be consequences for their actions. Until the authorities devote the resources needed to crack down on this behaviour, the devastation caused by dog attacks will continue,” he stated.
Comhairle na Tuaithe chair Éamon Ó Cúiv said: “We all need to be mindful that many of our trails and walking routes are on private lands and without the goodwill of farmers we would not have access to many areas of the countryside.”
Comhairle na Tuaithe has acknowledged the importance of dog ownership and the provision of dog-friendly facilities, however they have recognised that some areas are not suitable to bring a dog to, including upland areas of farmland. They said that dog owners must take responsibility and respect landowners who have allowed access to their lands.
The IFA has appealed that the government and local authorities have not done enough on the matter, despite the ‘No Dogs Allowed’ campaign which has been running since 2021.
National database
IFA sheep chair Adrian Gallagher has said the IFA has called for a single national database to identify dogs and their owners should be developed in addition to the necessary sanction.
“The critical issue in the first instance is to have all dogs in the country microchipped, registered to the owner and licensed in order to establish a national database for all dogs and the person responsible for the dog,” he stated.
“It’s a critical time of the year as lambing is taking place. Dogs are not allowed on or near farmland and we are asking dog owners to behave in a responsible way and adhere to this.
“The lack of robust enforcement of the legal obligations on dog owners has allowed horrendous attacks to persist and increase across the country,” Gallagher has said.
In his concluding remarks, Gallagher said: “We are demanding stronger regulations and stricter enforcement for those who disregard the safety and wellbeing of our livestock.
“It is also important to remind dog owners that they are fully liable for any damages caused to farmers and their livestock and dogs found on our lands can be shot.”
Read more
Sheep flock wiped out in dog attack
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