GARDAÍ and the IFA have joined forces in an effort to prevent dog attacks on sheep as the peak lambing season arrives – over recent weeks a number of incidents have been reported to the authorities in the East Galway area.

Galway Garda Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Olivia Fleming, said that the incidents in East Galway over recent weeks had resulted in either deaths or serious injuries to the sheep.

“If you are a dog owner, it is your responsibility to have your dog or dogs under effective control at all times and to have a dog licence.

“It is also compulsory to have your dog microchipped and wearing a collar that bears the name and the address of the owner at all times.

“Many such attacks occur during the early hours of the morning, so it is important that all dogs are secured at night to prohibit them from roaming.

“If you see dogs worrying sheep, please report the matter to your local Garda Station or Dog Warden. If your dog attacks animals on someone’s land, you could be held liable for the damages and face prosecution.

“The farmer is also within their right to shoot any animal that is worrying their livestock,” said Sgt Fleming.

Earlier this month, IFA National President, Francie Gorman, launched the IFA’s 2025 ‘No Dogs Allowed’ campaign saying that dog owners had to be confronted about their failure to take responsibility for the actions of their pets.

“The devastation caused has to be brought home to those who think their dog would not be part of an attack on livestock.

“Dog owners cannot absolve themselves of the wreckage left behind when sheep are attacked. The majority of responsible dog owners have a role here also,” he said.

The IFA President said the new Government has to recognise the deepening issue of dog attacks on livestock blaming  lack of robust enforcement of the legal obligations on dog owners for allowing the horrendous attacks to continue.

Galway IFA Sheep Chair, David Kelly, said stronger regulations announced by the then Minister Humphreys in late 2023 were a step in the right direction, but they didn’t go far enough to protect livestock from dog attacks.

“The critical issue in the first instance is to have all dogs in the country microchipped, registered to the owner and licensed in order to establish a national database for all dogs and the person responsible for the dog,” said David Kelly.

Pictured: Sergeant Olivia Fleming: Dogs must be kept under control at all times.