Sheep and lambs killed by dogs on farm in Newtown

Four ewes and six lambs have been killed in the latest attack by dogs on livestock in the Nenagh district.

Newtown farmer Martin O’ Brien arrived to discover devastation in one of his fields on Tuesday of last week.

Four ewes and six lambs lay dead at his holding in the townland of Ballinamoe, Newtown.

Mr O’ Brien said it was traumatic to  witness the badly mangled bodies of  his flock by uncontrolled dogs.

Asked of the losses he had sustained as a result of the attack, he estimated them to be in the region of €2,000.

It’s not so much the money as the upset it has caused,” said Ms O’ Brien, who said it was shocking to think of the savagery to which the misfortunate stock were subjected.

He  said that later the same morning two Alsatian dogs were cornered by a neighbouring farmer in a field after they attempted to attack his flock.

The gardaí attended the scene and the owner of the dogs was asked to put them down, said Mr O’ Brien.

He said the attack on his flock would have been much worse but for the fact that he had most of his ewes locked in a shed until they lambed.

“These attacks are something you just don’t want happening,” said Mr O’ Brien, who added he was only highlighting the case in the hope that it would be a reminder to dogs owners to be responsible.

IFA WARNING

The kill comes just a month after the The Irish Farmers Association called for greater penalties for people who allow dogs roam freely in areas where animals are grazing.

In March, the organisation launched its 2024 ‘No Dogs Allowed’ campaign, to coincide with the time when increased numbers of livestock are outdoors.

The IFA appealed to dog owners to be mindful of the need to control their animals when ewes and lambs are in fields.

It said this was especially important during the lambing season when a lot of stress was caused by dog attacks.

The association has called for robust enforcement of the legal obligations on dog owners, saying a failure by the authorities to do this has exacerbated the problem for many farmers.

While welcoming stronger regulations announced last year, the association said increased policing of dog movements is needed.

The IFA wants a single national database for all dogs correlating licensing and microchipping, stronger powers of enforcement for dog wardens, along with significant on the spot fines for owners whose dogs are found worrying livestock.

The attack in Newtown follows other dog attacks on sheep and lambs that made national headlines last year after up to 80 were killed on a farm in Rathcabbin and 50 more on a holding at Moneygall.