Four dogs put down by Laois pound for attacking livestock
Four dogs were put to sleep at Laois Dog Pound during 2022.
All of the deaths were a consquence of the dogs being caught attacking farmed livestock.
No dogs have yet been put to sleep in 2023 at the pound.
Laois Dog Warden Tristan Blundell who gave the figures to the Leinster Express / Laois Live, says they do not have the power to decide to put a down down.
“We do not have the power to put any dog to sleep. Only a judge or the owner can give an order to put a dog down,” Mr Blundell said.
He has urged the public to keep dogs under control at all times, and says not doing so can incur hefty fines.
“It's often thought that its just sheep who are worried, but it's all farmed animals.
“Dogs have killed poultry in Laois, and worried farmed pheasants and deer, horses, cows. They can seriously damage all livestock but sheep are the most vulnerable.
“Every dog has the potential to be dangerous. It's a dog's natural instinct to chase,” the warden said.
He reminds owners that dogs can be legally shot by farmers if they are caught in the act of worrying farm animals and cannot be stopped in any other way.
“It's a legal defence by any farmer who shoots a dog if it is caught worrying livestock. If they capture the dog, they are required to bring it to the pound,” he said.
No dogs can be put down by a pound unless ordered he said.
The pound, funded by the state, is in Ballacolla and is busy he said.
There are about 10 dogs impounded, waiting for their owners or for new homes.
“The dog here the longest is a little black Patterdale terrier, here since September. He's friendly with people but not other dogs. We have two Belgian Malinois, two bullies and a lurcher as well,” he said.
Their numbers dipped hugely during Covid when people took in dogs as they were at home all the time.
“Our highest year was 2007, we had 507 dogs. It's down to under 200 in the last couple of years, the lowest was 70 in 2020.
“The numbers are down also due to microchipping, now most owners can be established and dogs returned almost straight away.
It is now the law in Ireland to have all dogs microchipped as well as licenced, and to wear a collar. Not doing so, and selling a dog without a licence or microchip, can incur spot fines of €100, up to €2,500 in court.
Owners who don't dispose of dog faeces responsibly, now face spot fines of €150, rising up to €3,000 in court if unpaid.
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