Karen Walsh: The many legal ramifications of damage caused by your animals

If cattle are driven onto another property, the herdowner will be liable only if negligent.

Animals have always played an important part in the lives of Irish farmers, many of whose very livelihoods have depended entirely on the production of animals, such as cattle, sheep and pigs.

Much of the law which covers liability for damage and injuries caused by animals imposes ‘strict liability’ on the owner.