Sheep kill death toll from Limerick dog attack climbs to 26
WHEN JOHN Ryan went out to check his flock of sheep on Christmas Day he saw a sight that he will never forget as he saw 16 dead ewes scattered around the field.
“We don’t know how many dogs were involved but we could tell it wasn’t long as John said the sheep were still warm. Sheep are so defenceless - there is nothing they could do,” said Tracey Ryan, John’s wife.
She told the Leader the death toll has now reached 26.
“They were very stressed after the dog attack - they weren’t eating. People need to act responsibly with their dogs. We’ve had a lot of phone calls from sheep farmers and there is general concern out there,” said Mrs Ryan, who has a wireless collar on their pet dog so it can’t stray from its boundary.
Local councillor, Eddie Ryan echoed this, saying it is a reminder that we all need to be aware of where our dog is.
“Everyone is sure it’s never their dog - that they would never do anything like that - but when they come together in numbers is the problem. It is a shame and a tragedy.
“The stress it causes the rest of the flock can be a devastating problem when it comes to lambing season,” said Cllr Ryan.
Eddie Moriarty, Limerick IFA sheep chairman from nearby Anglesboro, said he spoke to a man who saw the carcasses dotted around the field.
“He said, ‘It was the most pitiful sight I ever saw’. He said it was a lonesome sight. He was there when they came to take them away,” said Mr Moriarty, who added that more sheep will die in the coming months from the stress of the attack.
A dog killed 16 lambs belonging to him around 10 years ago.
“They are stressed sheep for the rest of their lives. It does affect sheep badly. I saw it myself with my own sheep. More died of stress months later.
“The dog who killed mine was a pet for children. Any dog will kill sheep. It is a dog’s natural instinct to kill sheep,” said Mr Moriarty.
He called on dog owners to take responsibility for their pets and know where they are at all times. The Limerick IFA sheep chairman also hit out at the enforcement of regulations and lack thereof.
“There are no rules being enforced about licences. There are three government departments looking after the control of dogs - you have justice, agriculture and rural and community development. They just can’t settle among themselves who is taking full responsibility.
“There is a dog control bill going on for two years. As we speak today there are sheep being killed all over the country and there is nothing being said about them. It’s just that this one got out,” said Mr Moriarty.
Limerick IFA chairman Sean Lavery said it was a bad attack.
“People need to know where their dogs are. The dogs only kill a few. The rest of them are wounded and go into shock. It is a tortured death.
“When ewes are in lamb it can cause abortions. They would all be lambing in March,” said Mr Lavery, who is a sheep farmer.
Gardai are investigating.