Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. As a Deputy from Louth, I am very much aware of this issue. The control of dogs, including for the harassing of livestock, is vested in local authorities under the Control of Dogs Act 1986. The Act sets out the duties of local authorities, the powers of local authority dog wardens and the right of local authorities to make by-laws relating to the control of dogs in their functional areas.

The local authority in question is aware of the issue raised by the Deputy. I am aware myself of this as a national issue in terms of the problems that can be caused by dog attacks on sheep, in particular attacks on flocks of sheep during lambing season. My colleagues, the Minister and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, are also involved in raising awareness of this serious issue by drawing attention to the damage and distress that can arise from attacks on farm livestock, particularly sheep, by marauding dogs. They have also appealed to all dog owners, particularly those living near farms, to ensure their dogs are kept under control at all times and particularly at night.

I will continue to highlight the issue of dog control in the prevention of attacks on livestock. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government met with IFA representatives recently to discuss this matter. While the representatives were satisfied with the level of legislation in place covering this area, they stressed the need to raise awareness of the issue. I share their views and my Department will continue to examine ways of raising this with dog owners, some of whom may be totally unaware of these problems and, indeed, the possibility that their pet might be involved in such attacks.

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