There has been an “unacceptable” increase in dog attacks on farmers’ livestock across Ireland, the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has said.
This week, launching their annual ‘No Dogs Allowed’ campaign for 2024, the group accused the Government and Local Authorities of “ignoring” the ongoing issue.
“The lack of robust enforcement of the legal obligations on dog owners has allowed these attacks to persist and increase across the country, and it is unacceptable,” IFA President Francie Gorman said.
“Farmers have had enough, and it’s time for decisive action to protect our livestock. We are demanding stronger regulations and stricter enforcement for those who disregard the safety and wellbeing of our livestock immediately.”
IFA National Sheep Chair Adrian Gallagher said that stronger regulations announced by Rural and Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys in November was “a step in the right direction,” but does not go far enough to protect livestock from dog attacks.
Among the measures proposed by the Working Group of Control of Dogs was increased enforcement around irresponsible dog ownership.
“It is unacceptable that these practical proposals have not been acted on,” Gallagher said.
“IFA have consistently called for appropriate sanctions and to develop a single national database identifying dogs and their owners, similar to that in other jurisdictions.
“The critical issue in the first instance is to have all dogs in the country microchipped, registered to the owner and licensed in order to establish a national database for all dogs and the person responsible for the dog.
“Implementing stronger legislation and sanctions reflective of the damage and trauma these dogs cause on farms has been key to our campaign and would be a significant step in delivering for farmers.”
He added: “Stronger regulations and increased sanctions must be implemented to ensure that dog owners understand their responsibilities and the consequences of failing to fulfil them.”
He went on remind dog owners that they are culpable for any damages caused by a dog, and that dogs on farmers’ lands could be shot.
“It’s a critical time of the year as lambing commences and we have warned dog owners that dogs are not allowed on or near farmland, and to behave in a responsible way and adhere to this,” he said.
“It is also important to remind dog owners that they are fully liable for any damages caused to farmers and their livestock and dogs found on our lands can be shot.”