Department intervention needed tostop dog attacks on sheep

Fianna Fáil Senator Paul Daly has called for intervention bythe Department of Agriculture to address the growing number of dog attacks onsheep flocks across the country.

His comments follow a presentation he hosted in LeinsterHouse last week with County Monaghan father and daughter Eamonn and NiamhMonahan, who shared findings from their national survey on sheep attacks.

The Monahans farm in Inniskeen, Co. Monaghan and have enduredfour dog attacks in just five years. In one attack last year they lost fourpedigree in-lamb ewes, a pedigree ram and nine unborn lambs.

Motivated by their own experience, Eamonn and Niamh launcheda national survey to highlight the scale of the problem and elevate the voicesof farmers affected across the country.

Their research shows that 73% of farmers have experiencedattacks on their flocks, with an average of 18 sheep killed per incident, whilemore than 77% received no compensation.

Senator Daly said the most alarming finding was that over 77%of farmers received no compensation for their losses.

Speaking on the issue, Senator Daly said

“The little poodle that everybody thinks is harmless cancreate as much havoc in a field of sheep as a pitbull.

“Dog owners do not realise the consequences of not havingtheir dog on a leash, or the heartache and pain this causes for hardworkingfarmers.

“The Department of Agriculture needs to intervene with anumber of measures, while also ensuring there is proper enforcement of thosealready in place.

It is not fair and it is not right that farmers can witnessmultiple attacks on their flocks and receive no compensation. Those responsiblemust be held to account.”

Speaking on the Fianna Fáil podcast ‘Fianna Fáil: In Our OwnWords’, Niamh Monahan described the trauma of the attack on their flock.

“They were shredded. It was horrendous.

“We had to deal with the trauma of what we were seeing beforeus, calling the vets, neighbours coming over. We had sheep in the drain thathad been chased, and others were chased across three fields from where we hadleft them the night before.

“There was so much to deal with.”

Her father Eamonn added:

“It is very important that all dog owners are aware theseattacks are happening. They are horrific. They have serious financial effectson farmers and very real mental health impacts too.”

Among the measures Eamonn and Niamh are seeking governmentsupport for are:

• Theestablishment of a national DNA database for all dogs
• Improvedpublic education in schools and among dog owners on responsible ownership andthe consequences of dog attacks and worrying
• Stricterfines for owners of dogs involved in attacks
• Greatersupports for farmers affected by dog attacks

ENDS

The Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words podcast episodeon ‘exposing the reality of dog attacks on sheep’ can be found by clicking here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6n9564M7yrrgwn5GWX5eBQ?si=QSus_ZSfQomCQk0UUnX2ew