The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) has called for greater penalties for the owners of dogs involved in attacks on livestock.

INHFA deputy president Pheilim Molloy said “massive penalties” must be imposed on dog owners to deter attacks.

His comments come in the wake of two devastating dog attacks on sheep flocks recently.

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A total of 48 lambs were killed outside Moneygall on the Tipperary-Offaly border. Meanwhile, close to 20 sheep were killed and injured following a dog attack in Kildare.

The farm body insisted that action on the issue of penalties was now urgently needed to reassure flock owners, following the latest attacks.

Submission

Molloy pointed out that a number of key points were made by the INHFA in its submission on dog control in 2019 and have been reiterated since, but they have not been acted on. These include:

  • That the licensing, microchipping, registration and control of dogs should be the responsibility of a single Government department or agency. It is currently shared by the departments of agriculture and housing, as well as local authorities.
  • That the regulations around the ownership of dogs need to be tightened up.
  • That dogs should not be brought on to private lands, including hills, unless the landowner’s consent has been attained. Where this consent is given, the dogs should still remain on a lead at all times.
  • That greater penalties for dog owners must be imposed in the case of dog attacks on sheep or other livestock.

    • Molloy maintained that dog owners do not realise the impact that these attacks have on flock owners.

    He said the damage inflicted went well beyond the financial loss that the farmers suffer.

    “It is only when you spend time with farmers who have lost sheep in these attacks that you can appreciate just how devastating it is for the flock owner,” Molloy said.

    “I have sat up nights with these farmers; long-term, the constant fear of dog attacks can be devastating,” he added.

    “Some owners have no appreciation of the damage their dogs do. There must be consequences for the dog owners where dogs are involved in attacks; this issue must be addressed,” the INHFA representative insisted.