Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) Co. Kerry chair Jason Fleming has said that funding for alpacas on sheep farms could be implemented to reduce dog attacks.

Fleming said that the government is providing funding for more dog wardens and pressure is being applied for dog licensing, but that "none of these solutions are working".

With a number of dog attacks on sheep reported over the last few months, Fleming said that "something different needs to be done".

Alpacas are commonly used in Australia and New Zealand for guarding sheep, and are known for their protective nature, with Teagasc describing their methods of protection to include walking or running at the intruder.

They are also known to chase, spit, and kick with their front feet, while making loud pitched noises.

Fleming said that these qualities "should be used" in a trial run where alpacas are mixed with sheep on monitored farms, rolled out by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

"We need to be looking at a plan b and introducing alpacas is thinking outside the box. We could have all the licensing and all the dog wardens in the world, but if a dog goes into a field of sheep at night time, then there is nothing that a dog warden can do for you," Fleming said.

At the Kerry IFA annual general meeting (AGM) last month, another farmer asked Minister of State at the department of agriculture, Michael Healy-Rae to consider offering a grant for alpacas in response to dog attacks.

The IFA has already launched its annual ‘No Dogs Allowed’ campaign to recognise the “deepening issue” of dog attacks on livestock.

A similar campaign operating independently in Co. Kerry is also set to be launched to raise awareness, according to Fleming.

The campaign will consist of Co. Kerry IFA members, members of Kerry County Council, and An Garda Síochána. The campaign follows numerous dog attacks across the county this year.

Fleming urged dog owners to "take responsibility" for their pets and know where they are at all times.