asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he has any measures in mind to cope with the problem of stray dogs worrying sheep, particularly during lambing time.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Marauding Dogs.
45.
The existing law for the control of dogs imposes severe penalties for allowing a dog to stray and worry livestock, apart from the fact that the dog may legally be shot by the person whose livestock the dog is attacking. In my opinion, the law as it stands is adequate. The problem is one of enforcement. This is a matter for the Garda but the Garda obviously cannot by themselves afford protection to livestock from attacks by marauding dogs in all cases. They must have the active assistance of the stockowners.
This year, as in previous years, an appeal was addressed by my Department to dog owners to keep their dogs under control. Given greater co-operation by dog owners and stockowners, the number of attacks by marauding dogs and consequent losses to stockowners could be considerably reduced.
Is the Minister aware of the suggestion that there should be stricter regulations in relation to the licensing of bitches? Would this not help in curtailing this problem?
The Minister has a great deal of experience of the ravages of marauding dogs on lifestock. I am sure the Deputy has also. There are a couple of very satisfactory, if somewhat unofficial, means of dealing with them.
There were barking and snarling dogs last Saturday and Sunday.