A number of sheep have been left “severely traumatised” and another needed stitching up after a dog attacked sheep on two separate farms in Louth this week.
Sheep farmer Matthew McGreehan told the Irish Farmers Journal that “only for the intervention of a neighbour down the road who noticed the commotion” the dog might still be on the loose.
After the attack, which happened on Wednesday in Bellurgan in north of the county, one sheep was missing. It attacked another flock on the same day and was caught in the act, then shot by the farmer.
Laws
McGreehan has since found the sheep and he has called for tougher laws to be enforced against dog owners whose dogs attack sheep.
“The Government needs to act on the IFA submission on the control of dogs. We need the laws strengthened,” he said.
Compensation
The owners of dogs who attack sheep are liable for any damages caused. Thirteen of McGreehan’s sheep were killed last November in a dog attack and a number injured.
The owner of the dog that caused the damage covered all of his losses, he told the Irish Farmers Journal.
“Farmers can be out a lot of money as a result of dog attacks,” he said.
The IFA is calling on the next Government to improve the dog warden service and bring in the compulsory microchipping of all dogs.
Do not give your dog the opportunity to attack sheep - Minister Canney