DOG OWNERS WARNED AFTER FATAL ATTACK

A RECENT fatal attack on sheep at the Featherbeds resulted in the death of two ewes.

Tracks in the snow indicated that a dog had chased the sheep a short distance before catching it and inflicting horrific injuries. Footprints close by indicated that a person was also in the area at the time who presumably took the dog from the scene. It is not clear who this person was, but they did not report the incident.

Wicklow Uplands Council want to clarify the current regulations regarding the control of dogs, and specifically in relation to livestock. Under the Control of Dogs Act 1986 and amended by the Control of Dogs (Amendment) Act 1992, all local authorities in Ireland are responsible for the control of dogs. Dog owners are liable for injury or damage caused their dogs to people or livestock and local authorities can seize dogs, impose on-the-spot fines and take court proceedings against owners. Dogs should be licensed, micro-chipped and wear an ID tag.

Charlotte Rosemond, Wicklow Uplands Council, said: ‘Dogs and livestock don’t mix – even the smallest tail wagging pet can have a change in personality when confronted with livestock. Sheep and lambs are very easily stressed when confronted by a dog – even when the dog is on a lead.

‘Sheep are very easily frightened and pregnant ewes have been known to abort their lambs following an encounter with a dog. Cattle too, especially cows with calves, can consider the dog a threat to their offspring and act aggressively towards the dog and the owner. Horses and their riders are also vulnerable when dogs are allowed to roam unsupervised.’

Other wildlife living in the uplands, such as ground nesting birds in open land, can be scared from the nest by even the friendliest of dogs just doing a bit of sniffing around.

Worms from dogs’ mess can cause ‘gid’ which is a fatal disease that attacks the brains of sheep.

Anyone who encounters livestock worrying is urged to report it immediately to the local garda station or Wicklow County Council, on (0404) 20236. Stray dogs should be reported to the dog warden at (0404) 44873.

Sheep sale, Tuesday, January 17:

There were 1,464 sheep on offer with a steady trade for all classes.

Prices: Butcher Hoggets €102 to €107 or €52 to €58 over €/kg, Factory Hoggets €95 to €102 or €48 to €56 over €/kg, Store Hoggets €70 to €94 or €40 to €50 over €/kg, Fat Ewes €88 to €112 per head, Feeding Ewes €60 to €86 per head.

Cattle sale, Thursday, January 19:

There were 226 cattle and 30 calves on offer with a good trade for all classes.

Cattle prices: Beef & Forward Store Bullocks €500 to €880 over €/kg, Store Bullocks 500kgs €480 to €775 over €/ kg, Store Bullocks 400kgs €420 to €600 over €/kg, Beef & Forward Store Heifers €600 to €845 over €/kg, Store Heifers 400kgs €400 to €625 over €/kg, Fat Cows €260 to €540 over €/kg, Feeding Cows €100 to €250 over €/kg.

Calf prices: Fr Bulls € 90 to €170 per head, Cont. Bulls €200 to €410 per head, Cont. Heifers €180 to €360 per head, HE/AA Bulls €190 to €330 per head, HE/AA Heifers €160 to €320 per head. last week.

The best demand was for factory and store hoggetts.

Prices: Butcher Hogg over 50kg €102 - €107, Factory Hogg 45 - 49kg €94 - €103, Store Hogg €75 - €92, Cast Ewes €65 - €106, In Lamb Ewes €110 - €155, 35 Hogg 51kg at €106, 40 Hogg 48kg at €102, 20 Hogg 45kg at €98, 20 Hogg 40kg at €88, 35 Hogg 35kg at €84.

Cattle sale January 21:

A much bigger sale this time with 750 cattle and 60 calves on offer.

Quality very strong, improved demand for all classes.

Special suckler sale - full clearance, in-calf cows €1300 - €1650

Prices: Beef and forward Blks 650 - 950 over, Cont Store Blks 480- 820 over, FR Blks 220 - 620 over, Weanling Bulls 450 - 800 over, Beef Hfrs 550 - 870 over, Store Hfrs 350 - 750 over, Store Cows 100 - 410 over, Beef Cows 360 - 750 over, Suckler Cows €850 - €1650, Cows with calves at foot €1250 - €1800.

Calves: FR Bulls €85 - €210, Cont. Bulls €270 -€455, Cont. Hfrs €250 - €425. , Saturday, demand for all types with a complete clearance of all stock on show.

The quality of stock was equally as good as other years.

It attracted buyers from many parts of the country, there was a big amount of local buyers and also many buyers from Northern Ireland.

Mart owner Joe Kinsella said that it was an extremely satisfactory sale and he was very happy with the exceptional quality of stock on offer, the prices for beef was satisfactory and the prices of stores was also very good.

The champion of the show, a Limuosin bullock which weighed 810 kg and made €1,900, was owned by local farmer John Lawlor from Feddan, Kiltegan, the buyer of this animal was another local buyer Tom Boland from Hacketstown, Co Carlow.

The winner of class 1 Best Continental Type Bullock was Charlie Tompkins, Class 4 Best Lot of Factory Type Bullocks was won by Cathal Whittle, Donard.

Sample prices recorded: 380kg LM €990, 395kg LM €980, 417kg BB €990, 475kg LM €1060, 490kg LM €1130, 420kg BB €1020, 680kg CH €1380, 655kg €1470, 810kg HE €1510, 810kg LM €1900, 840kg CH €1650, 910kg €1800.

Part 2 of the show and sale for heifers, cows and calves will take place on Wednesday, January 25 and entries are invited.

We look forward to another successful show with the judging at 10.30 a.m, sale starting at 12 p.m.