Keep dogs under control to avoid preventable livestock attacks - Gardaí

Gardaí are urging dog owners to keep pets under control to avoid harming livestock. 

Livestock attacks - most commonly involving sheep - occur every year, and can result in the dog or dogs involved being destroyed. 

Situations such as this, which can be very distressing for everyone, can be avoided by being aware of laws and regulations, particularly while hill walking or hiking. 

Offence with respect to worrying of livestock by dog: 

Where a dog worries livestock on agricultural land, the owner of the dog, and, if the dog is in the charge of a person other than the owner, that person also, shall be guilty of an offence unless the dog is owned by or in the charge of—

(a) the occupier of the land, a member of his family or a person employed by him, or (b) the owner of the livestock, a member of his family or a person employed by him. 

Seizure of dog worrying livestock: 

Where in the case of a dog found on agricultural land— (a) the dog has been worrying livestock on the land, and (b) no person is present who admits to being the owner of the dog or in charge of it, a member of the Garda Síochána may seize the dog, and thereupon the provisions of sections 3 and 9 of the Dogs Act, 1906, in relation to seized stray dogs shall apply. 

Where in the case of a dog found on agricultural land when worrying livestock lawfully on the land no person is present who admits to being the owner of the dog or in charge of it, the finder may seize the dog and deliver it to a member of the Garda Síochána at the nearest Garda Síochána station, and thereupon the provisions of sections 3 and 9 of the Dogs Act, 1906, in relation to seized stray dogs shall apply.

Defence in action for damages for shooting dog: 

In an action for damages for the shooting of a dog, it shall be a good defence if the defendant proves—

(a) that the dog was shot when worrying livestock on agricultural land, (b) that the livestock were lawfully on the land, (c) that the defendant was— (i) the occupier of the land, a member of his family or a person employed by him, or (ii) the owner of the livestock, a member of his family or a person employed by him, and (d) that the defendant notified the shooting within forty-eight hours to a member of the Garda Síochána at the nearest Garda Síochána station.