A spate of fatal dog attacks on sheep flocks in the first week of the new year has led to renewed calls for tougher penalties and stricter enforcement of existing rules.

IFA sheep chair Sean Dennehy said he was aware of at least three instances of dog attacks over the last week.

“The stories I have heard are horrific. In one instance, an animal was decapitated by a dog. The Government must act to hold irresponsible dog owners to account,” Dennehy said.

“There are far too many dog owners not taking the responsibility that goes with owning a pet. Dog owners must have their dog under control at all times.”

Taskforce

He called on the Minister for Heritage Malcolm Noonan to immediately co-ordinate a national task force to tackle the ongoing issue of dog attacks on farms.

“We met the Minister before Christmas and raised the enforcement of existing regulations on dog control, including microchipping. He agreed to initiate engagements with the relevant agencies to strengthen controls for dog ownership and better enforcement of existing obligations on owners.

“This must happen immediately,” he said.

Dennehy stressed that dog attacks were a significant problem that can devastate farms. The 2.6m ewes in Ireland will be lambing down in the coming months making them particularly vulnerable.

Warnings

He warned that dog owners, who did not have their pets under control at all times, must realise they can be held responsible for such attacks, with financial and legal consequences.

There needed to be better enforcement of existing legislation around dog ownership, more stringent fines for dog attacks, increased funding for the dog warden service, and a single database for microchipped dogs, Dennehy said.

“All farm animals are fully traceable, and dogs should also be,” he concluded.

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