Micro-chips ‘may curb dog attacks on sheep flocks’

MANDATORY micro-chipping of dogs was called for yesterday in a bid to prevent lethal attacks on sheep.

The call was made by the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) after marauding dogs killed and injured flocks in various parts of the country.

ICSA sheep committee vice chairman Gabriel Gilmartin said that new legislation must be introduced to provide more stringent controls.

Mandatory micro-chipping would enable easy identification of dogs and the introduction of other measures, such as on-the-spot fines for owners of dogs found unattended in the countryside.

Mr Gilmartin said people are beginning to understand the appalling carnage that these dogs cause. He added that finding sheep slaughtered in a horrendous manner soon after lambing is heartbreaking for farmers and a big financial loss.

“Perhaps if errant owners got a good blow to their wallets, they might think twice about letting their dogs run wild about the countryside,” he said.

There are up to 7.5 million ewes and lambs on 35,000 sheep farms, with most flocks having just come through the lambing period.

IFA sheep committee chairman Henry Burns said all dog owners must ensure that their pets are fully controlled at all times. They must not be allowed to roam freely in the countryside where they can inflict horrific damage on a sheep flock, and must be securely housed at night, he said.

Owners can be held liable under the Control of Dogs Act for the financial damage inflicted on a sheep flock from an attack by their dog.

It is also permissible under the law for farmers to shoot marauding dogs threatening their flocks, he said.

Meanwhile, the ICSA last night condemned the timing of a planned blitz of more than 100 sheep inspections in the North Sligo and Leitrim areas, which they say will cause huge animal welfare and practical difficulties.

Farmers in the region have just been notified of the inspections, which are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

“The timing is scandalous, as it will cause havoc in terms of lambing and subsequent mothering,” said ICSA president Malcolm Thompson.

“It’s physically impossible at this time of year to round up sheep and lambs and it’s an animal welfare issue.

“It’s so ill-conceived as to defy belief.”