Two dogs were shot after attacking, killing and injuring over 20 sheep in Co. Wicklow last week – with local farmers underlining the need for dog owners to control their pets.
The incident occurred in Glenmalure, which saw 14 sheep killed and a further eight badly injured.
Speaking to Agriland about the dog attack, Wicklow Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) county chairman Tom Byrne said:
“It’s tragic for the farmer, it’s tragic for the sheep – and it’s also tragic for the dog owner. He had to witness his two dogs shot; family pets. The man is facing a huge financial bill.
“There were 14 sheep killed and a further eight that are under veterinary care – no one knows whether they’re going to live or die yet. The implications in it for everyone are huge,” the chairman stressed.
“We are all the time trying to get the message out: Keep your dogs under control; know where your dogs are. It’s so important and people have used the hills so extensively during lockdown.”
On this occasion, the dog owner was local; however, Byrne warned:
“There are always a lot of sheep kills in Wicklow because of the nature of the county; people come out from Dublin and walk their dogs.
“I have worked with Wicklow Uplands Council and we have no issue with people walking – we’d actually welcome them into the county – but we do have an issue with dogs; we have an issue with people not keeping control of their dogs.
“We’d like to keep Wicklow open; we’d like for people from Dublin to stay enjoying Wicklow and all the beautiful scenery that we have – but if they don’t behave themselves they’re putting everyone else’s enjoyment of the countryside at risk as well.
“The dogs were shot on the scene and the Gardaí were called. They were chipped and pinned; the Gardaí scanned them to establish the ownership,” the chairman said, adding that the local Gardaí were extremely helpful.