Calls made for robust legislation following dog attacks in Tipperary

Calls for more robust legislation to enforce responsible dog ownership have been made.
The call was made following an attack by four loose Pitbulls on a young woman in Carrick-on-Suir and two sheep kills in Cloneen and Lorrha.

The farmer in Lorrha lost 70 sheep while in Cloneen an attack by a dog resulted in the death of 15 ewes belonging to one farmer.
The sheep losses were recorded during December.
Deputy Michael Lowry has called for robust legislation to enforce responsible dog ownership to be introduced. “We are now in lambing season. Reports show that up to 3,000 sheep and lambs are killed or injured annually by dogs,” he stated.

Fifteen sheep killed in dog attack on a county Tipperary farm

Gardaí are investigating the attack that happened on a farm in the Cloneen area

ATTACK
Raising the matter with Tánaiste Micheál Martin in the Dáil on Thursday, Deputy Lowry recounted that two days after Christmas a farmer in Lorrha was alerted that his sheep had been attacked by dogs.
“When he went to check he was faced with what was described as a massacre. 50 of his 133-strong flock had been savaged. More than 30 more had to be put down as a result of their injuries. Councillor Michael O’Meara, who is a neighbour of this farmer, told me of the devastation and heartbreak suffered by the farmer and his family. Of the utter carnage that he witnessed on that day,” stated Deputy Lowry.

CONTROL
“The attack was caused by dogs. Dogs whose owners had failed in their responsibility to keep them under control. These dogs were free to roam and maraud. Dog owners need to understand the damage and hurt caused by carelessness. Also earlier this year a young woman in Carrick-on-Suir was attacked and permanently scared. She was terrorised and had to jump into the river to escape four loose Pitbulls. The incidents of dog attacks on children across the country is escalating,” said Deputy Lowry.

“Tánaiste, we must act to enforce stronger laws. We need robust legislation in place to enforce responsible dog ownership. Farmers need protection for their stock and should not have to live in fear of a constant threat to their livelihoods,” stated Deputy Lowry.

SHOCKED
An Tánaiste replied: “I think we were are all shocked by recent dog attacks, particularly that which left one young boy with life-changing injuries. It’s a horrific story where you say a young woman had to flee from four Pitbulls. We do need to strengthen our laws. A working group has been convened and formed by Minister McConalogue and Minister Humphries. That group has been meeting to look at the issue in terms of both the enforcement of current legislation and also recommendations for new actions,” said An Tánaiste.
“I believe we need to strengthen the law in relation to this matter. There is a strong onus also on the owners of such dogs in respect of the damage and attacks on livestock. It is not acceptable – it’s a terrible loss to the farmer concerned and we really have to tighten up considerably on this,” he added.
In January, Tipperary County Council was mandated by its elected members to write to two Government Ministers appealing for a series of legislative reforms to prevent vicious dog attacks on farmers’ sheep flocks.

REFORM
The council’s public representatives unanimously passed a motion requesting the local authority to write to Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue and Rural & Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys requesting key changes to the Control of Dogs Act Legislation and Dangerous Dogs Act.
The motion, tabled by Independent Cllr Michael O’Meara, sought a complete reform of dog owners responsibilities to protect public and animal safety.