Farmer loses 35 animals in sheep kills over two nights

A Ballinea farmer who lost almost 35 animals in two separate sheep kills over consecutive nights last week has pleaded with rural dog owners to make sure that their pets are secure at night.

The farmer, who asked that his name not be published, was checking on his flock at around six o’clock on Friday morning last when he came upon the grisly sight of two dead ewes and more than a dozen dead lambs following an attack by a pack of dogs.

Less than 24 hours later, another part of the farmer’s flock in a nearby field was attacked by what he believes were the same dogs. The outcome was equally as horrific.

Over the two nights, the farmer lost four sheep and 30 lambs, while many other animals have been left traumatised and may have to be put down, he says.

Speaking on Monday, the farmer says that he is particularly angry about the second attack, as he had contacted people living in the locality to alert them about the first sheep kill and to ask them to make sure that their dogs were secured at night.

“They got a taste of blood and came back. It was savage. People don’t realise the harm that their pets can do.”

The farmer says that he has reported both incidents to An Garda Síochána and local officers are investigating.

“It is soul destroying [coming across a sheep kill], you’d be in a heap. These baby lambs, you have been working to try and keep them alive – it’s terrible.”

Earlier this year, the IFA called for stiffer penalties for pet owners whose dogs are let run loose and which then attack livestock.