Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael)

Recently some harrowing and shocking accounts of sheep worrying in the Cooley peninsula, County Louth, have come to my attention. The problem is nearing epidemic proportions and causing great strain among the farming community in the area.

This area of north Louth has outstanding natural beauty and, as a result, attracts thousands of visitors for recreation. They are welcomed by the farming community and they have had a long relationship founded on the principle of mutual respect. Without doubt, the majority of people visiting the area for recreation respect the countryside and play their part in protecting the environment. However, there are some, particularly disrespectful dog owners, who do not consider farm animals, particularly sheep. These callous few have allowed their dogs to run loose on the land. Often they are accompanied by other dogs. These unrestrained dogs are causing terror among livestock. Only recently, a group of well-intentioned hill-walkers were left very distressed having been confronted by two dogs. This was not the first group of hill-walkers to have been intimidated by loose dogs. Many people are fearful of dogs, whether they are on leads or not, and due consideration should be given to them. If humans are being left distressed by uncontrolled dogs, one can only imagine the stress and pure horror sheep and lambs must endure. These incidents are all too frequent now and it is only a matter of time before a serious altercation arises.

As one knows, a farmer is entitled to shoot a dog that is worrying sheep. Sheep worrying is a big issue for sheep farmers at any time of the year but it is particularly problematic when it happens during the lambing season. Sheep worrying occurs when dogs chase sheep and injure or kill them. Sheep are flight animals and flee at the first sight of danger or predators. The most obvious damage caused is visible and it includes wounds. Often the sheep are left alive with very bad injuries. Often these injuries are untreatable and they have to be put to sleep. Other damage caused is less visible among the sheep. For example, if they are in lamb, they often abort. After a dog-worrying episode, a sheep can become terrified of dogs, which can make life very difficult for the sheep farmer as sheepdogs are used routinely to herd sheep. Thus, routine farm tasks become very time-consuming for the farmer. It causes economic losses and makes for a difficult working environment for the farmer.

Despite what many dog owners may feel about their beloved pets, they are still a source of great distress to sheep, whether on a lead or not. Even though dogs have been domesticated for a long time, they have not lost their basic instincts. These instincts include a strong predatory drive. The chase instinct can be triggered by the sight or movement of animals. Accordingly, humans should not be shocked that the family pet dog could chase or worry sheep. Any breed of dog can be involved in a sheep worrying or killing episode. I must add I have been a dog owner all my life and am aware of the joy a pet can bring to a household. It would be remiss of me, however, not to acknowledge that mine or any other dog could be a form of distress to sheep.

On behalf of the besieged farming community of north Louth, I am asking the Minister to ban the practice of taking dogs, other than local sheep farmers' dogs, out on the Cooley Peninsula. Banning dogs there would be a win-win for both parties and would reduce the fatalities of both sheep and dogs. The farming community of north Louth has suffered more than most over the past decade since the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. It has an excellent relationship with dog walkers and is very amenable to leisure and tourism activities. The community's benevolence, however, is being taken for granted and it is now at breaking point as almost daily incidents of aborted lambs, sheep worrying and killings are occurring.

As recently as last week, a debate in England called for tougher penalties, greater vigilance and education in this matter. This shows the need for a clear and unambiguous message. The umbrella organisation for all registered walking groups had a strict code of conduct of no dogs. At national level, Comhairle na Tuaithe is of the opinion that hill walkers should not bring their dogs to the hills. This is significant given it is made up of representative groups such as the IFA and Keep Ireland Open which often have diverse views. Nevertheless, they are all agreed on this issue.

Dogs, other than local sheep farmers' dogs, should be banned from the Cooley Mountains. We do not want to stop people enjoying these amenities but we do want to prevent the terrible damage caused by dogs to livestock.

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