IFA calls for crackdown on unregistered dogs amid rising livestock attacks

With over 600,000 dogs potentially unregistered, farmers warn weak enforcement is fuelling devastating attacks on livestock

IFA sheep committee chairman Adrian Gallagher said the escalating problem of dog attacks on livestock would not be solved unless there was a determined and focused approach from the authorities.

There are an estimated 800,000 dogs in the State, but just over 200,000 of them are registered, the Irish Farmers Association told the Joint Oireachtas committee on agriculture.

Based on the latest figures published by the Department of Agriculture, it claimed in a detailed submission there could be 600,000 dogs unaccounted for and unregistered.