Livestock owners have been warned of the danger of garden waste being dumped in fields after two sheep were euthanised following suspected poisoning.

According to a Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) regional veterinary laboratories report two Suffolk ewes were brought to Sligo Regional Veterinary Laboratory (RVL) after being found lying down and semi-conscious.

Both sheep were subsequently euthanised, while a third sheep had died the previous day.

Garden clippings had reportedly been dumped in the field a few days earlier.

A post-mortem examination revealed no significant visible abnormalities.

However, small, unusual leaves with distinctive scalloped edges were found in the stomach contents of both ewes.

The leaves were identified by the National Botanic Gardens’ Plant Identification Service as Japanese spindle an ornamental shrub that can be toxic to livestock.

The findings suggested that the sheep had ate this plant and this was considered the most likely cause of the animals’ illness.

The regional veterinary laboratories report highlights the risk of dumping garden waste in fields which are close to livestock.

The report also outlines that even if the clippings do not contain poisonous plants, they can still cause problems such as ruminal acidosis (excessive acidity in the rumen).

According to officials there is also a risk that lawn clippings could be contaminated with dog or cat faeces.

These can contain parasites such as Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii which can pose an additional infection risk to grazing livestock.  

Posioning risk

DAFM has advised farmers that they should regularly, carefully check their fields and hedgerows for potential sources of livestock poisoning.

The department has warned that the most common livestock poisoning risks include lead, nitrate, and yew tree toxicosis.

According to DAFM if a farmer suspects a potential poisoning in an animal they should immediately contact their vet.