Dog owners warned after Laois sheep kill

A Laois Policing meeting heard calls for dog owners to keep their animals under control at all times.

Cllr James Kelly told the Joint Policing Committee meeting that “there was a bad sheep kill in Killinure.”  He said a message has to go out to dog owners across the county.

“Two dogs were running wild up around there and it is happening more and more,” he remarked. 

He referred to social media posts about missing dogs or a dog is at the back of a house. “When the dog turns back up at home and the dog is covered in muck, do they think it is just out for a walk?” he asked.

TD Brian Stanley supported Cllr Kelly and said “when we meet again it will be lambing season.” He said sheep farmers are operating on very tight margins. “It is important that people keep control of their dogs,” Deputy Stanley remarked. 

Cllr John King said it isn’t only the animals who get killed. He told the meeting that the damage is unseen because sheep suffer from stress as a result and can lose lambs. 

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Speaking following the meeting, Laois IFA Chairperson John Fitzpatrick said he was aware of the sheep kill mentioned at the meeting. 

Mr Fitzpatrick said he believed three sheep were killed in the incident. “As well as the sheep killed it is the trauma that is left behind for both the farmer and the sheep as well,” he said.

He called for all dogs to be microchipped and said dog owners and prospective owners “really have to control their pets. They have to understand what they are getting into.”