2023 noticed the variety of canine assaults on livestock in Northern Ireland double in comparison with 2022 and 2021, based on NFU Mutual.
The rural insurance coverage firm blamed complacency amongst some canine homeowners coupled with an incapacity to regulate their pets for the rise in devastating assaults on livestock.
A NFU Mutual survey of over 1,100 canine homeowners discovered that 68% go away their dogs off the lead within the countryside, regardless of lower than half saying that their pet at all times comes again when known as.
Almost 8% of the homeowners surveyed admitted that their canine chases livestock however 46% believed their canine was not able to inflicting the loss of life or damage of cattle.
More than half (54%) felt they didn’t have to take lively measures to forestall their canine from chasing.
If current at an attack, 57% of canine homeowners would intervene to cease it, 22% would report it to an area farmer and 11% would name the police.
Dog assaults
Dog assaults on Northern Ireland’s livestock cost an estimated £147,000 (€171,00) final 12 months, a 11% fall from the 2022 cost (£165,000).
Across the UK, canine assaults on livestock had been estimated to cost £2.4 million final 12 months, up almost 30% in comparison with 2022.
Martin Malone, Northern Ireland supervisor at NFU Mutual, stated that regardless of the cost fall, the doubling within the variety of canine assaults on livestock in Northern Ireland over the previous two years is extremely alarming for farmers.
“We’ve heard reports from farmers about the complacency and naivety of some dog owners who regularly allow their pets to roam off-lead in the countryside, seemingly unaware of the carnage the dog could cause, then are horrified when an attack happens,” he stated.
“There have additionally been incidences the place dogs have chased, injured and killed sheep and the proprietor is nowhere to be seen.
“Farmers are additionally residing in worry of repeat assaults, which trigger horrific and useless struggling to livestock and might traumatise all concerned coping with the aftermath.
“All dogs are capable of chasing, attacking and killing farm animals, regardless of breed, size or temperament,” Malone added.
NFU Mutual is urging all canine homeowners to be liable for their pet and maintain them on a lead when walked anyplace close to livestock.
“If there is an attack, it is important people accept responsibility and report it, to a local farmer and the local council dog wardens, so that the injured animals are not left suffering in pain,” Malone stated.
Livestock
Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) deputy president William Irvine stated that the canine attack statistics had been “horrifying” as lambing season will get underway.
“Behind each statistic is a farm household that has skilled immense trauma and monetary loss as a result of an attack on their livestock that would have been prevented.
“It’s extraordinarily worrying that 68% of canine homeowners let their pet roam free within the countryside.
“Every dog, regardless of the breed or temperament, is a threat to sheep and their owners must recognise this. It only takes a spilt second for a dog to instinctively react to sheep and begin a chase,” he stated.
Farmer
George Carvill, a farmer in Co. Armagh, has stated that he’s contemplating giving up his sheep flock after a canine attack left 28 lambs lifeless.
There had been no witnesses to the incident which took place in early December and the farmers is anxious that the canine or dogs accountable will return.
George’s household has run a 90ac farm on the outskirts of Middletown for over 50 years and in addition finishes beef cattle.
“It was a terrible experience for me and my 16-year-old son, Frank, who looks after the sheep with me,” he stated.
“We walked into the sphere to feed the lambs sugar beet and had been shocked to see a lifeless lamb close to the gateway. We thought it was a one-off, however as we walked by means of the sphere we noticed one other lifeless lamb, after which increasingly more – 28 in all.
“They had been badly mauled, and it was clear the injuries were the result of a dog attack,” the farmer stated.
George and his son discovered one other 12 lambs had been stampeded into the River Cor the place that they had drowned.
“We haven’t had a dog attack since 1983 – but there are a lot more dogs around now in Middletown and we know some of them are let out to roam uncontrolled by their owners,” he stated.
