‘ANY DOG CAN HARM OUR SHEEP’

IFA REP HOPES NEW POSTER WILL CHANGE DOG OWNERS’ ATTITUDES

PATRICK O’Shea of Kerry IFA hopes that a new poster issued by North East West Kerry Development (NEWKD) Farm Families Committee will prove a successful addition to the battle against dogs killing and worrying sheep.

Speaking at an NEWKD meeting at Tralee’s Áras an Phobail on Friday (March 3), Mr O’Shea told members of the farm family committee that one of the biggest problems in tackling sheep kills is dog owners who do not believe their own dog, or small dogs, could be responsible for killing or worrying sheep.

“The problem isn’t promotion; the effects that stray dogs can have on sheep are well known, superbly publicised, and you’ll actually find that most dog owners empathise with us on this issue,” he said.

“The main problem is that many owners don’t believe their own dog could do such a thing, or they don’t realise that the mere presence of a dog in a field can cause stress to sheep, with very serious consequences. That’s where I think our new posters could prove effective.”

The new posters will be displayed county-wide in shops, Garda stations, marts, veterinary shops and elsewhere. One of the pictures on the poster shows a terrier chasing two heavily pregnant sheep.

“If you look at that picture, the sheep are running because they’re frightened of the small dog. One of the sheep has collapsed, which puts her pregnancy at great risk,” Mr O’Shea explained.

“Even if that sheep lambs, the stress of being chased might mean she won’t be able to properly tend to her lamb. When people see this, I hope they realise the damage even a small stray dog can cause.”

The poster also shows the effects of a sheep-kill carried out by a dog, and IFA-compiled statistics that state 3,000-4,000 sheep are killed or injured by dogs annually. It also warns that dog owners can be held responsible for losses involved in dog attacks, with serious financial and legal consequences.

The IFA provides a ‘Protocol for Farmers on Sheep Kills by Dogs’, which is available online at www.ifa.ie.

It provides a 10-point Plan of Action covering what farmers should do if they encounter a dog attack on their flock.

The IFA has encouraged farmers to study the protocol.

Shannon College of Hotel Management students (from left) Carol O’Connell, Killarney, Trisha Bahri,India and Edel McCarthy, Ballylanders, Co Limerick after their graduation ceremony.