Councillors call on dog owners to act responsibly following sheep kill

Councillors are appealing to dog owners to keep their dogs on leads and act responsibly following a sheep kill, on Magheroarty beach, this morning.  

It is understood a dog attacked a sheep in the area yesterday. Councillors have called time and time again on dog owners to keep their dogs on leads especially during lambing season. Warning signs have also been erected on the beach asking pet owners not to let their dog off their leash.

This morning, Independent Councillors Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig and Michael McClafferty called on dog owners to please heed, the warning.

Cllr McClafferty said: "Once again, another local sheep kill, this time on Magheroarty beach. This shouldn’t be happening. There are 'no dogs of lead' signs clearly marked on most if not all our beaches in Donegal.

"Dog owners need to get their heads out of the sand and realise the danger their dog can do. If your dog is out of your sight and takes ages to return home, you need to ask yourself what was it doing?"

Cllr McClafferty said that he hopes the dog owner in question, from yesterday, will do the right thing and that is to pay compensation to the farmer. 

Speaking on Highland Radio this morning, Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig said that most dog owners heed the warning and called on all owners to behave in a responsible manner.