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DOG OWNERS ARE being warned to tie up their animals after 40 sheep were killed in attacks in west Kerry.
Pat Rohan of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) told TheJournal.ie that one farmer had 36 of his sheep – including lambs – killed in the attack last Friday.
He said that the farmer did not want to speak to the media but was happy for this image, which was taken by his sister, to be shared.
Rohan said the attack came as the lambs were set to be sold on for slaughter. “They were nearly a week away from sale,” he said, explaining that the farmer will lose money as a result. He also had to pay €300 to a local knackery to dispose of the sheep’s bodies.
The farmer said that each lamb or ewe was worth around €75 each to him.
He said that 26 lambs and 10 ewes were killed in that attack, while four other local farmers had one sheep each killed.
It happened in the dead of night. [The farmer] went out in the morning to the field the sheep were in. They were not there, they were gone out a bit. There was some serious damage done to fencing, which would indicate the sheep were being well chased and harried and hunted.
A vet was called and confirmed that the marks on the dead sheep came from a dog.
“Some are saying a fox would have done this – a fox doesn’t hunt like this,” said Rohan. “It was a dog or a number of dogs.”
He said that the farmer would like “to put out the word would people just tie their dogs at night”.
If people accounted for their dogs and tie them up at night, or put them into the house, you wouldn’t have this.
Rohan said that sheep attacks by dogs have happened in different locations around Ireland, but this is the “first time it has happened locally” on such a scale.
“Replacing these sheep can be hard because these were homegrown, born and bred on the farm,” said Rohan.
“It wouldn’t matter how big or how small [a farmer] you are, the shock of this can be quite devastating. You’d go out morning, noon and night in the spring and trying to care for your livestock. You do the best you can for them and look after them and then overnight [they are killed].”
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Owning and caring for a dog is the most wonderful experience but too many people fail to see the responsibility required. Dogs left to their own devices are essentially wild animals. They need training, they need attention, they need stimulation and they most certainly need to be secured on your property. If you’re not prepared to be a responsible dog owner then please don’t be a dog owner.
Perfect summation. Spot on.
free the canis genus
The owner of this dog should be put up against a wall in the middle of a field and shot in the back of the head. One bullet, bang bang
A wall in the middle of a field and a bullet that can be fired twice eh?
Same problem close to me about 10 years ago, but not on this scale. The vet and dog warden finally tracked down the dog in question. It was a Huskie and the owners let him out all night every night. Turned out the dog was travelling 5 to 6 miles a night, carrying out attacks, and travelling back before anyone noticed he was missing at all.
Huge loss for the farmer and hopefully the culprit will be found and owners made pay full compensation and a hefty court fine.
This is why farmers have the right to shoot any dog that is on their land.
Exactly
if only the dogs had guns
Do I have the right to shoot a dog that comes into my garden?
Big difference between a garden and a field rodrigo
If you fear for your own safety or the safety of your family (and the gun is legally owned) – yes.
Awful carnage.
Unfortunately sheep have no real defence mechanisms and often panic themselves to death.
Maybe we need the science boffins to genetically engineer aggressive sheep with big mad teeth? It would make a very interesting selective breeding programme too..
Aggressive muscular sheep… sure wouldn’t the meat be leaner too?
A lot of dog owners are irresponsible, The only proper solution is to shoot the dog in the act. I am speaking from personal experience.asked dog owner to keep dog (Doberman)on his property, as it was coming onto my property nightly.Dog owner refused to do so,contacted guards who said it was dog wardens job,contacted dog warden who said take a civil case,contacted solicitor who said contact gaurds.Finally had to fence my garden to keep their dog out,as they wouldn’t fence theirs to keep dog in.Moral of story,shut mouth,dig hole,shoot dog,
Farmers can defend any shooting of dogs in the courts if they prove the dog was shot while worrying, or about to worry, livestock and that there were no other reasonable ways of preventing the worrying, among other legal areas of defence. If you are not in this situation though, i would recommend not shooting the dog.
I would recommend saying nothing and shooting dog.I would have had no problem doing this,As I knew the people I thought I would do the decent thing and ask them to do the same.Lesson learned,shoot first and make sure no one sees you do it,
In this case a doberman is also on the list of restricted dogs which require them to be muzzled at All times in public. This bye law does not seem to be enforced either though.
Dog warden said he would actually have to see dog in my garden,I had Crystal clear cctv of dog but he said he would still not accept this.as he only works 9 to 5 this was going to be impossible. People are wasting their time trying to do the right,break the law,the chances of being prosecuted are almost nil,
Another day another horrific story involving animal cruelty.
Years ago there was a pack of dogs killing sheep in North Dublin South Meath. It was a famous case – the farmer erected signs up threatening to shoot any dogs on sight because he was at his wits end. Turns out that a jack Russel had been leading a pack of dogs at night by bullying them into the pack. THe jack was killing the sheep by bitingh their throats. Any dog can be a killer if it is let run riot and especially if the pack mentality kicks in. A lot of the dogs were shot. Once a dog gets a taste for killing sheep its incurable.
There are only a couple of breeds capable of such brutality.
I found a Labrador attacking sheep a few years ago, would you associate them with attacking sheep?
its all breeds that can cause damage, even a few terriers attacking sheep in spring cause sheep to abort their lambs.
Shut up you idiot. Any breed of dog big enough could have done this. And i blame the owners of the dogs not the dogs itself. Someone said farmers should be allowed shoot dogs. Your vile.
Definitely. My dog is a labrador and I know for a fact that if she ever was let to roam free on a farm, she would cause havoc.
A chihuahua? They are vicious
spaniel, dalmation, german shepard, terrier, pitbull and husky are the ones I’ve personal experience of attacking sheep
oh and belgian shepard
*you’re
Farmers are allowed to shoot dogs! If a dog is on your property and you believe that he has caused harm then you can shoot him. Whats more, if you catch him doing harm then you have every right to shoot him and make sure hes dead! As i dog owner, i would be heartbroken if it happened my dogs, but if they did damage like that, then i would expect the farmer to shoot them. Unfortunately once a dog does that once, they will repeat if they get a chance. Also it doesn’t need to be a big dog to do this type of damage, ANY breed of dog can do this.
In 2011 I was bitten by a so called friendly family dog. People don’t want to admit that their dog is violent
Any dog will bite. All responsible pet owners should know this. Also ANY dog can turn a killer of sheep.
The lambs & sheep were going to be sold for Slaughter ? So it’s about the money .
No no, it’s not about the money… the farmer just raises sheep for the craic.
They should bring that ad back
I only heard a story yesterday about a rotweiller that killed 56 sheep in one night. Ripped all their throats out. Nasty stuff!
That is a terrible loss of stock for that poor farmer and a horrible scene for him to be greeted with. I have 4 dogs and they are never out of my sight when they are outside. People need to take responsibility for their dogs and keep them under control.
Hmm, I am no expert, but to me there are a few issues with this story.
Firstly, was it really dogs? I dont know for sure, but surely there would be more blood.
Secondly, why are all the sheep next to each other. If one was killed surely the sheep would run in all directions.
Thirdly, this is NOT someone casually walking their dog. This is someone taking a pack of dogs out on a hunt for some ‘sport’. They are not the type of dogs or people which go on relaxing walks.
Andy please tell me it might have crossed your mind that the farmer collected all the sheep and put them at gate?
A Tweed Cap talking to a tinfoil hat… I’ve seen it all now!
Andy, sheep die from being chased like this. The dog/s don’t have to catch them to cause their deaths.
@Andy the dog may have herded them to the gate and they suffocated being pushed up together. Unfortunately sheep aren’t the brightest.
No this is probably not someone casually walking their dog, but is someone casually letting their dog out to roam all night
You weren’t messing around when you stated that you’re no expert!
sheep farming is such a risky business I dont know why anyone bothers anymore, if you dont lose a lamb at birth they either die of disease, foxes or a dog attack. Along with the fact that there is feck all return for them
have your say