Killer dog still on the loose in south-east

THE KILLER hound that has been on the rampage in the south-east is still at large, despite repeated attempts to hunt him down by expert shooters, writes

More sheep were slaughtered last week by the dog, believed to be a Belgian Shepherd, bringing the total slain by the elusive hound to close to 50.

Despite a crew of 11 guns from the local gun club, Shelbourne Game Protection, combing the area, along with a lone shooter staking out the sheep killer on consecutive nights over the course of the last week, the dog has continued to evade capture.

“I only got a look at him from 200 yards away, but then he was gone,” said club chairman Ivan Furlong, who noted the size and speed of the animal.

“He’s standing about 26–27 inches, a really big dog, but very clever too.”

Despite speculation that the army might be asked to intervene by Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe, who is a local TD, the gun club insisted that the dog would be killed this week. “There’s no point in bringing 50 rifles in here with lads who don’t know the terrain,” said Shelbourne’s treasurer, Larry O’Brien.

“We’re reasonably confident of getting him this week because we know where he’s hanging out now. But there’s no doubt that he’s done a lot of harm and it’s a serious situation with so many sheep farmers in the area and flocks heavy in-lamb.”

The large hunting hound has been terrorising several flocks in the New Ross area for over a month, despite being wounded by gunshots from farmers attempting to defend their flocks.

Animals valued at thousands of euro have been gored to death by the dog that locals believe first appeared in the area after he was lost by ‘lampers’ out hunting wildlife at night using headlights to startle animals.