Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In 2022, 901 animals were attacked by dogs: 755 sheep and 77 cattle were attacked. Unfortunately, that figure is on the rise. The scene of a sheep attack by dogs is truly horrific, apart from the financial burden it inflicts upon the farmer and his family. For example, losing ten pregnant ewes could cost as much as €2,000 to replace. Apart from the financial hardship, there is also the psychological damage it does to the farmer and the family’s mental health and well-being. I compliment my colleague, Senator Erin McGreehan, who has been pushing hard for legislation to be introduced by Government to address this issue. I am glad to report it is progressing well. I compliment her on her work on that.

I make two appeals this morning. First, I appeal to Government to move swiftly to bring in legislation that would increase the penalty for dog owners, who are responsible for where their pets are at any given time. I also make an earnest appeal to dog owners. The vast majority of dog owners are responsible but, unfortunately, whether beknown to them or not, when dogs get together in groups, a dog can end up not being a family pet but being a savage beast, as I have witnessed myself. I ask of this especially during this time of year, lambing period, which now with us. There is nothing more uplifting as you drive around the countryside than seeing a number of lambs bouncing in the field. For these poor, defenceless animals, I appeal to all dog owners, particularly at this time of year, to make sure they know the whereabouts of their dog at all times.