With lambing season upon us, the Wicklow Cheviot Sheep Owners Association is calling for more stringent dog control measures. Chairman John Malone has put out an appeal to dog owners to keep their dogs on a leash and under effective control at all times when walking them.
While Malone reinforced that most dog owners are responsible, there is a minority of reckless owners he says which has resulted in dog attacks on sheep throughout the country.
“There is currently a great deficiency in the current legislative system for the enforcement of responsible dog ownership and dog control. The absence of a centralised database to identify ownership and those responsible for the dogs and the lack of enforcement of micro- chipping are all contributing to a persistent and escalating problem,” he said.
“There is a failure by the relevant authorities to have appropriate enforcement and sanctions in place for dog owners who allow their dogs roam free and cause damage to livestock. The Association is calling on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Charlie McConalogue to give a commitment to put in place better legislation and more resources to deal with this problem as a matter of urgency.”
According to Mr Malone, sheep farmers’ livelihoods are being put at risk with huge financial losses incurred because of the thoughtless approach of certain dog owners.
Dog owners should also note, he said, that they can be held responsible for any losses involved with serious financial and legal consequences.
LSL News.