In one incident, a farmer shot two dogs after it had killed six sheep.
Gardaí have issued a warning pertaining to widespread incidents of livestock being attacked by dogs in 2020.
47 such incidents have been reported this year, including incidents where a dog was put down in Leitrim after it attacked seven sheep. Similarly, two dogs were shot by a farmer in Meath after they had killed six sheep and injured two more.
Owners are liable to be prosecuted in such cases, under Section 9 of Control of Dogs Act 1986. Prosecution could result in one month in prison and/or €600 fine.
Garda Inspector James White said: “If your dog goes and attacks animals on someone’s land, you could be held liable for the damages and face prosecution. The farmer is also within their right to shoot any animal that is worrying their livestock.
“Whilst you might think your dog is friendly and placid at home, they can cause horrific injuries to other animals. We would ask that everyone ensures their dog is kept under control as nobody wants to see animals being harmed.”
Gardaí have also provided a regional breaking down of such incidents.
Sligo/Leitrim – 7
Galway – 6
Tipperary – 5
Roscommon/Longford – 4
Kildare – 4
Meath – 3
Cork West – 3
Donegal – 3
Wexford – 3
Cavan/Monaghan – 2
Cork North – 1
Westmeath – 1
Mayo – 1
Limerick – 1
Kerry – 1
Kilkenny/Carlow – 1
Laois/Offaly – 1
Gardaí also included graphic, heavily blurred images of sheep following one such attack in Tipperary in order to “raise awareness of this topic”.
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