North Tipperary IFA renews calls to prevent attacks by dogs on sheep

At the North Tipperary IFA Executive, Baden Powell, North Tipperary IFA Chair and JP Ryan, North Tipperary IFA Sheep Committee Chair, renewed calls for action on sheep attacks, after the "No dogs allowed" campaign was launched three years ago.

JP Ryan said the IFA has clearly and consistently set out what needs to be done to the relevant ministers.

The key areas include a single national database for all dogs, correlating licensing and microchipping and identifying the person responsible for the dog, but at a minimum the alignment of the existing licensing and microchipping records to one central access point and full enforcement of microchipping and licensing obligations of dog owners for all dogs.

They are also requesting stronger powers of enforcement for dog wardens and Gardaí, and clarity on these powers; and increased on-the-spot fines for failing to comply with the microchipping and licensing requirements.

The IFA is also calling for increased sanctions and on-the-spot fines for failing to have the dog under control; significant on-the-spot fines for dogs found worrying livestock; and a legal requirement for dogs to be microchipped and licensed and identified on the NVPS (National Veterinary Prescribing System), prior to any veterinary treatment or prescribing of medicines by veterinary practitioners.

Finally, they are requesting the authority to apply the legislative obligations to dogs in border regions owned by persons not resident in the state.