Sheep farmers have reported a spate of attacks on their flocks in recent weeks even before the lambing season gets into full swing this weekend. While some farmers specialise in early lambing, March 1st traditionally marks the start of the lambing season for most farmers.
Four attacks led to the deaths of at least 56 sheep in recent weeks in counties Clare and Meath, while farmers in Wicklow hills reported several attacks this month.
Irish Farmers' Association national sheep chairman John Lynskey said the number of attacks in recent years suggested that between 3,000 and 4,000 sheep were killed or injured each year.
Between 300 and 400 attacks are reported to IFA every year with an average of 11 sheep killed or injured in each attack.
He said the devastation and trauma experienced by some farmers left them seriously questioning their future in sheep production.
“Unfortunately, I am taking calls on a frequent basis from sheep farmers around the country who have suffered attacks.
“There are far too many dog owners not taking the responsibility that goes with owning a pet. Dog owners have an obligation to have their dog under control at all times.”
He has urged dog owners to ensure their house insurance policy protects them against any damages arising from attacks by their dogs on sheep.
Last week, sheep farmers shot eight hunting dogs dead after the dogs escaped from their owner and attacked sheep on two neighbouring farms in Broadford, Co Clare. They had killed two sheep and injured several more before they were shot.
The surviving sheep are in the latter stages of their pregnancies and the stress may cause the loss of more lambs.
Less than two weeks earlier, 19 lambs and two ewes were killed by dogs on the farm of Gus and Olive Martyn in Dunderry, Co Meath. More of the flock were seriously injured.
It was thought that the same dogs were responsible for the death of eight sheep and lambs on a neighbouring farm on the previous evening. And one day earlier, 25 sheep were killed on a farm in Nobber, about 30km away.
The issue of dogs worrying sheep in the Wicklow uplands was raised at a recent Wicklow Joint Policing Committee meeting a few weeks ago after farmers reported three attacks in early February.
Mr Lynskey said some insurance companies provided cover against damages from the householders’ pets and people should seriously consider this option. He said pets could inflict horrendous damage on a sheep flock in an attack and the owners could be held responsible for the losses involved with serious financial and legal consequences.
“The core of IFA’s campaign to reduce attacks on sheep is about dog owners’ showing greater responsibility. One practical way of doing this is to amend their house policy to include any risk attached to their pet carrying out an attack on sheep and the losses that arise for the farmer from this”.
Farmers have a right to protect their flock by shooting a dog if they can show that the dog was worrying, or was about to worry, livestock and that there were no other reasonable way of stopping the animal.
However, farmers must notify the garda station within 48 hours of a dog being shot.
There are 34,304 sheep farmers in this State with almost 2.5 million breeding ewes.
