asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that dogs have killed about £3,000 worth of sheep in the St. Margarets and Mulhuddart areas of County Dublin during the last two weeks; and, if so, if he will make the necessary arrangements to increase the Garda patrols in such areas to reduce the slaughter of sheep by dogs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Slaughter of Sheep by Dogs.
44.
It has come to the notice of the gardaí that in the last two weeks 19 sheep have been killed and 26 sheep injured by dogs in the districts in question.
The Commissioner has assured me that Garda foot and mobile patrols were intensified without delay, particularly during the hours of darkness, in the affected areas, and that every effort is being made, with the co-operation of the farmers, to capture the marauding animals.
Is the Minister aware that there are a number of dogs at large without identification tags and that if the gardaí could find the owners of these dogs or deal with them somehow, killing of sheep might be eliminated? It is a very serious matter, especially during this lambing season. Hundreds of sheep have been killed in County Dublin year after year.
The Deputy is no doubt aware that owners of dogs are obliged by law to have identification tags on them. This is a question of trying to capture the marauders and the gardaí are doing their best in this particular area to deal with the problem.
Would it be a helpful suggestion, in view of the peculiar situation existing here, if the Minister considered, as an exceptional step, asking the gardaí to pay a call at each farm in this area, where there are large holdings and where it would not impose an undue strain on the gardaí, with a view to inquiring if there is a dog there which is not collar-tagged? If it were known that such calls were impending for the protection of farmers themselves, a great many persons who might have overlooked this matter would put it right.
The gardaí do from time to time try to enforce the Dogs Act. They also look for dogs without these tags.
They could not do it everywhere but in this area, where there are large holdings, it might be helpful.
I will make the suggestion to them.
Might I inform the Minister that one individual in this area has lost 50 lambs. It might have looked as if this matter were not so serious and the fact I have just mentioned will bring home to the Minister how serious it is.
I agree it is a serious matter.