New awareness campaign aimed at dog owners - Kilkenny Farming

A major national awareness campaign to remind dog owners of their responsibilities has been launched by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD.

The campaign entitled – ‘It’s not your dog’s fault, it’s yours’ - is aimed at increasing awareness of the harm that out of control dogs can do to people and to livestock.

The goal is to change behaviour and to remind owners that they must always have their dog under control.
“I know the majority of dog owners are responsible and do the right thing. But we can all be guilty of thinking our dog wouldn’t hurt a fly.
“No matter how harmless a dog might seem they can be capable of causing a lot of damage. Ultimately, as the campaign says: it’s not your dog’s fault, it’s yours.

“Dog owners must make sure their dog is under control at all times, not running wild endangering people, livestock or other dogs.
“I want this campaign to make people think twice about letting their dog loose and uncontrolled.”

“I know how traumatic dog attacks can be to people, especially children. I am also acutely aware of the devastation done to livestock by marauding dogs, causing terrible suffering to the animals and both emotional and financial distress to farming families,” said Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue T.D.

“I believe it is essential we have conversations about responsible dog ownership and illustrating the dangers of marauding dogs, protecting people and animals from dog attacks,” he added.

However, IFA will continue with their policy of ‘no dogs allowed’ on or near lands where animals are kept, because “this is the only way to prevent the horrific attacks on sheep that occur across the country,” said IFA Sheep Chair, Adrian Gallagher.

He said the campaign rightly identifies owners as those ultimately responsible for the actions and behaviour of their dogs, and for ensuring their dogs are under effective control at all times.
Visit www.gov.ie/Dogs to find out more.