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Crime Prevention: Sheep Worrying and Advice to Dog Owners

On this month’s CrimeCall, Crime Prevention segment, Sergeant John Fitzpatrick provided information in relation to farm livestock / sheep worrying. 

At this time of the year (Spring) many livestock farmers will be busy with lambing season, people who live and frequent our rural areas of the country need to be aware how sensitive this time of the year is for farmers and in particular their livestock.

Livestock/Sheep Worrying:

Livestock worrying is the phrase used when a dog may worry or attack livestock animals in rural, farmland areas and commonage areas. “Worry” in relation to livestock, means to attack or kill or to chase livestock in such a way as may reasonably be expected to cause the death of or injury or suffering to the livestock or to result in financial loss to the owner of the livestock.

This crime typically occurs in the countryside and is a particular problem when dogs, even those that are well trained, are not controlled by their owners or let off their leads roaming without an owner or person in charge of them. In doing so, dogs may enter land occupied by livestock and scare or attack livestock animals.

Even small dogs may chase a flock of sheep, although it may not be able to inflict bite wounds, simply chasing the sheep can cause huge distress and injury to sheep, who will run to escape. Being chased can cause stress to sheep and particularly impacts sheep in lamb. 

The impact of worrying or an attack on livestock for our farming communities can have a devastating effect including financial losses to a farmer, as livestock may be fatally injured or additional time and money may have to be spent ensuring injured sheep that require veterinary care are looked after. Additionally, there is also the emotional impact and stress of seeing the loss, distress and injury caused to your animals from the perspective of the farmer and their family. 

Whilst many dog owners may be unaware of the impact their dogs can have on livestock, it is their responsibility to ensure attacks and worrying occur. They should ensure that dogs are controlled on a lead when out walking so that the dog cannot worry or attack livestock.

Some examples of livestock worrying include:

  • A dog chasing livestock in a manner that could cause injury or suffering.
  • The stress caused to the animal by the presence of the dog, could, in the case of female livestock, cause miscarriage.
  • Livestock becoming desperate in their attempts to escape and injure themselves in doing so.
  • Dogs who chase ewes or lambs may cause them to separate from their mothers.

Under the Control of Dogs Act, 1986 the term “livestock” means cattle, sheep, swine, horses and all other equine animals, poultry, goats and deer not in the wild state. Dog owners should familiarise themselves with this act and furthermore be aware that it is an offence under Section 9 of the Control of Dogs Act - if your Dog is found to have worried or attacked livestock. The Dog owner or the person in charge of the Dog at the time may be liable to prosecution. 

9.— (1) The owner or any other person in charge of a dog shall not permit the dog to be in any place other than—

(a) the premises of the owner, or

(b) the premises of such other person in charge of the dog, or

(c) the premises of any other person, with the consent of that person, unless such owner or such other person in charge of the dog accompanies it and keeps it under effectual control.

(2) If a dog worries livestock, the owner or any other person in charge of the dog shall be guilty of an offence unless it is established that at the material time the dog worried the livestock for the purpose of removing trespassing livestock and that having regard to all the circumstances the action was reasonable and necessary.

(3) A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (2) of this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month, or, at the discretion of the court, to both such fine and such imprisonment.

Furthermore under Section 21 of the Control of Dogs Act, 1986 a dog owner may be liable for damages by a dog.

21.—(1) The owner of a dog shall be liable in damages for damage caused in an attack on any person by the dog and for injury done by it to any livestock; and it shall not be necessary for the person seeking such damages to show a previous mischievous propensity in the dog, or the owner's knowledge of such previous propensity, or to show that such injury or damage was attributable to neglect on the part of the owner.

(2) Where livestock are injured by a dog on land on to which they had strayed, and either the dog belonged to the occupier of the land or its presence on the land was authorised by the occupier, a person shall not be liable under this section in respect of injury done to the livestock, unless the person caused the dog to attack the livestock.

(3) A person is liable in damages for any damage caused by a dog kept on any premises or structure to a person trespassing thereon only in accordance with the rules of law relating to liability for negligence.

(4) (a) Any damage or injury for which a person is made liable under this section shall be deemed to be attributable to a wrong within the meaning of the Civil Liability Act, 1961, and the provisions of that Act shall apply accordingly.

(b) Sections 11 (2) (a) and 11 (2) (b) of the Statute of Limitations, 1957, shall apply to such damage.

Since 2020 proceedings have been brought against (81) dog owners (charged or summons) in relation to the offence of Dog Worrying Livestock.

There have also been over (80) attention and complaints incidents relating to livestock worrying in the past (5) years and over (120) dog offences incidents reported and related to livestock in that same period.

We can all enjoy the benefits of our beautiful countryside together and if you are in the countryside walking, or live in a rural area, please keep your dogs under control and be aware of the consequences. Most sheep kills are carried out by family pets, do not believe your dog won’t do it. If the conditions are right all dogs will chase sheep and as explained earlier it can have catastrophic outcomes.

We would ask people to be responsible, look out for each other and if you see someone acting irresponsibly notify the farmer and dial 999 or 112 if necessary.

Advice for Dog owners or those in charge of Dogs –

  • Any dog can worry livestock no matter how well trained.
  • Keep your Dog under control at all times.
  • Make sure you know where your dog is at all times.
  • Regularly check home and perimeter security
  • Be aware of the effects of worrying livestock.
  • Be respectful to your surroundings in the countryside.
  • If you witness an incident, please report it.

An Garda Síochána is committed to tackling rural crime and, in particular, livestock attacks and worrying.

The National Rural Safety Forum (NRSF) is co–chaired by Assistant Commissioner Hilman, An Garda Síochána and the Irish Farmers Association supported by the Department of Justice, the Department of Rural and Community Development, Muintir na Tíre, AgriKids, Irish Country Women’s Association and a range of State agencies and representative groups, who collaboratively work together to reduce crime and the fear of crime in our rural communities.