Crime Prevention - Dogs Worrying Livestock Advice

On this month’s Crimecall Sergeant Graham Kavanagh highlighted the problem of sheep worrying incidents, with around 400 such worrying incidents occurring annually during lambing season, (January to late April). These incidents result in the death of some 3000 to 4000 sheep. These incidents cause financial loss to the farming community as well as distress to those involved.

Crimecall went on patrol to the Cooley Peninsula, Co. Louth, to spend the day with sheep farmer Ciaran Sheelan who has a sheep farm with 80 ewes which he rears with his father. He talked about the impact that sheep attacks have had on his farm and what the public can do to help prevent this from happening.

We also interviewed Local Dog Warden Padraig McKeown on recent attacks in the area and Sean Dennehy of the IFA who highlighted the issues farmers face every year when their livestock is attacked by dogs. He also highlighted the IFA’s new campaign 'No Dogs Allowed' which farmers are adapting in an effort to prevent these attacks from occurring.

Sergeant Kavanagh’s key message focused on dog owner’s legal obligation under the control of dogs act, to obtain a dog licence, to act responsibly, keep their dog under effective control, know its whereabouts at all times, and the need to have their dog microchipped.

Sergeant Kavanaghs final message was in relation to dog theft, which is a worry for many dog owners, but how by taking some steps this type of crime can be prevented.

He sought to reassure the public that although these incidents get a lot of media coverage when they occur there has not been a surge in the number of incidents and offered the following preventive advice.

Microchip and Register your dog
Regularly check home and perimeter security
Consider installing CCTV around your property
Report suspicious vehicles/behaviour to Gardaí
Join a Neighbourhood Watch / Community Alert Scheme
Use Community Text Alert scheme to inform neighbours.

More information is available here