Canine charity links up with IFA in bid to stop dog attacks
ONE of the county’s dog protection charities has joined forces with the IFA in trying to promote a safer spring period on Galway sheep farms this year.
The Canine Buddies Educational Dog Centre in Loughrea said that stray or uncontrolled dogs posed a direct risk to the general public and to the farming community.
The dog charity has made a special appeal to all dog owners to lock up their pets at night-time – often the period when the deadliest attacks are carried out on sheep flocks.
“Stray or uncontrolled dogs are high risk in terms of bites, the spread of disease, road traffic dangers, anxiety to humans and damage to sheep flocks,” Canine Buddies state.
They said that stray dogs themselves could often suffer from malnourishment and disease due to their neglect.
“The domestic dog has a need for a human master to provide basic care and who they can trust. Galway County Council seeks to promote responsible dog ownership – the basis of which is licensing and control of dogs. In addition, Galway County Council advises that pet dogs are micro chipped by their owners,” said Carmel Marzouk of Canine Buddies.
The group also point out that Galway County Council have the power to seize stray dogs, to check for licences and to liaise with members of the public who have concerns about uncontrolled dogs.
“There have been a number of serious incidents of attacks on sheep flocks in recent years and dog-owners are reminded to ensure that their dogs are kept under effective control at all times. Dogs which are involved in sheep worrying may be shot by the flock-owner or may be seized and put down by the dog warden. The dog-owner is liable for damages in cases where sheep are killed or injured,” said Canine Buddies.
Galway IFA Sheep Chairman, Michael Murphy, said that dogs – especially when they gathered in groups at night-time – could inflict absolutely awful carnage on sheep flocks.
“First and foremost, we would ask dog owners to lock up their pets at night-time and to ensure that their pets are under control at all times. That simple measure alone would solve a lot of problems.
For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.