Appeal to dog walkers after sheep kill in neighbouring Laois

A farmer from County Laois has made an appeal for dog walkers not to let their dogs off leashes while out walking after a recent sheep kill.

The farmer discovered a dog killing his sheep and would have shot the animal had he been armed. 

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The farmer, who asked not to be named, discovered a pit bull dog killing one of his sheep on Sunday, April 16 at around 6.15pm. He followed the dog only to find another dead sheep in his field. 

“I went out to check my sheep in the field behind my house and came across a dog attacking my sheep,” the man explained. 

The dog was discovered in the process of killing the sheep and the man could have legally shot the dog if he had a gun. 

“If I had(a gun) I would have shot it because it was a dangerous dog,” the man said. 

The man got into his car and drove in the direction the dog had fled where he discovered the animal accompanied by its owner. 

“I spoke to the owner, who in fairness, was very apologetic and had seen the blood on the dog but thought it was from a hare. It was a pit bull dog,” he said. 

The man said the matter was now with the gardai. The dog has since been euthanised and compensation has been paid for the ‘book value’ of the dead sheep. 

The farmer is urging people not to leave dogs off their leashes.

It’s often assumed dogs involved in sheep kills roam in packs but this incident highlights the damage a single loose dog can do. The animal’s owner was nearby but that didn’t prevent it entering farmland and killing two sheep. 

Sheep kills cause unnecessary suffering to animals and financial hardship to farmers and there is a wider impact on sheep flocks. Pregnant ewes often lose unborn lambs due to shock and distress of such attacks.

Dog owners are liable to be fined up to €2,500 if their dogs are involved in attacks and these penalties are being reviewed which could see them increase to €5,000.