Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2017
701. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is any compensation scheme or hardship fund for a person who has suffered significant financial and stock losses due to attacks by a wild dog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10243/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIncidents of sheep being maimed and killed by roaming dogs is of great concern to me and I would ask all dog owners in both urban and rural areas to ensure that they are aware of the whereabouts of their dogs at all times.
While my Department is not in a position to compensate for sheep losses due to dog attacks, I would urge all farmers to heed the advice of the farming organisations and ensure adequate insurance is in place as a means of protection from financial loss against an unforeseen event such as a sheep kill. Any farmer that has lost sheep as a result of attacks by dogs should get a valuation of the losses and inform their insurance company of any losses as soon as possible after the incident occurs.
