Seven sheep, along with a bag of veterinary products, were discovered illegally dumped during the second week in December, found in a Coillte-owned forest on the Donegal-Northern Ireland border.

“The farmer is likely local to the area. It’s a real cowboy act and I’m hearing similar reports in recent months,” Donegal councillor Patrick McGowan told the Irish Farmers Journal.

Tracing back

The sheep were discovered in the Meenagoland, Killygordon, area and did not have tags.

McGowan continued: “The county council litter warden came up to the forest to see if there was any evidence amongst the veterinary products for who might have owned the sheep.

“We should be able to do a DNA test and trace it back that way. The Department of Agriculture needs to be more heavily involved in these cases and prevent any future incidents.”

The Department of Agriculture has said it is assisting Donegal County Council with the incident.

“Should any person have information that can assist with identifying who may have dumped those sheep, then please contact the gardaí, the local authority or the Donegal Regional Veterinary Office, Raphoe.”

Self-policing

McGowan claims that farmers in the area are self-policing and have been quick to report similar incidents in the past.

“In most cases, it’s usually the farmer that rings to report animals that have been dumped along the border. The vast majority of lads are doing the right thing, but there’s always the odd one to go against the grain.

“The authorities only have to get lucky once and catch one of these lads that’s doing this. The backlash will make the rest of them think twice before they go out and dump animals.”

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