The ISPCA has issued a reminder to all dog owners to act responsibly as we approach lambing season.
Every year the ISPCA receive reports that sheep have been injured or killed, ewes miscarrying their lambs, due to being chased and attacked by uncontrolled dogs. This causes horrendous stress and financial loss not only to sheep farmers, but it is also a serious animal welfare concern too.
In Donegal, 24 incidences of livestock worrying were officially reported in 2022 and 2023. The statistics for 2024 are not yet available.
Figures released by Donegal County Council this week also reveal that there were 33 reported physical attacks by dogs on humans for 2022 to 2023.
The number of dogs euthanised by Donegal County Council 2022/2023 is 21.
The figures were given to Councillor Michael McClafferty, who said: “Dogs are clearly out of control, in the sense that people are going to beaches, car parks, forest parks, and opening their boot, the next thing the dog is away mad in the field after the sheep.
“The sheep are heavily pregnant with lambs and all of a sudden the sheep are going to start aborting the lambs.”
Cllr McClafferty said the lack of control that some owners exercise over their dogs near sheep is “madness that has to stop”.
Cllr McClafferty lodged a motion with the council on Monday to ask that the local authority takes action on dog owners who are not controlling their dogs properly in communities, i.e. chasing sheep etc or are a danger to the public, children etc, and that a rule is brought in that all dogs must be on a lead while in public spaces such as towns, beaches, walks, trails etc.
Another issue is dog fouling, added Cllr McClafferty, which puts children at serious risk of Toxocariasis if they come into contact with infected animal faeces.
“At the minute what is happening on our walks and trails is the owners are not cleaning up dog fouling,” Cllr McClafferty said. “We need a dog warden or litter warden in place and if you walk about you’ll soon see it happening when an owner doesn’t have bags with them.”
Councillor Liam Blaney, who seconded the motion, added that most dog owners out there are obeying the rules and regulations and laws,
“Unfortunately there are some that arent,” said Cllr Blaney.
“It’s near our scenic spots where there are sheep nearby that get the brunt of it.”
It is a legal requirement that all dogs are kept under effectual control and accompanied at all times when in a public place – all dogs be kept on a lead when you are in a public place and especially near livestock.
Fines may be issued for, among other things, not having a dog licence (€150), dog not under effectual control (€300) or listed breed dog not leashed and muzzled in a public place (€300).
The ISPCA is calling on all dog owners to be responsible and vigilant by always keeping their dog(s) on a lead, and not allowing them to roam freely in rural areas resulting in devastating consequences for both the animals and the owners involved. By keeping dogs securely under control to safeguard the welfare of sheep and their newborns, it will also prevent unnecessary animal suffering and a financial burden for everyone involved.
Tristan added: “Under the Control of Dogs Act, dog owners can be prosecuted and held financially liable for any damage caused to sheep or lambs. Leaving a dog unattended even for a brief period in an unsecured back garden could be a risk. This may seem innocent, but it can lead to even the calmest of dogs joining forces with other dogs and attacking sheep, causing severe harm and distress to vulnerable livestock. This is a serious animal welfare concern and causes a huge level of emotional stress and financial worry to sheep and livestock farmers around the country”.
