Fighting dog attacks

Though a hardy annual, dog attacks on sheep never fail to shock because of the wanton cruelty and carelessness — and loss of income — involved. The attack on a flock in Roscommon over the Christmas holidays, which left 46 ewes dead, highlighted the issue again.

The IFA have called for greater powers for dog wardens or gardaí to allow them seize dogs suspected of being involved in these attacks. That seems an entirely reasonable proposal as properly controlled dogs would never be involved in these appalling attacks.

If the law is extended to provide that facility, it should include provisions to allow the immediate, on-the-spot seizure of dogs, subject to limitations under the Control of Dogs Act, if their owners do not observe those rules. We are all too familiar with potentially dangerous dogs, usually pit bulls or various blends of fighting dogs, being at large, unsupervised and unmuzzled.