Council highlights consequences of livestock worrying

ADVERTISING FEATURE

FERMANAGH and Omagh District Council is warning dog owners of the importance of keeping dogs under control near livestock.

Dog worrying of livestock, particularly during lambing season, is a key concern for farmers. Worrying of livestock does not just mean attacking or killing an animal; it includes chasing livestock and causing serious stress, which results in any form of suffering to the animal, and as such, any dogs involved will be considered to have worried livestock.

Under the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983, it is an offence to allow a dog onto land containing livestock if it is not under control and to cause worry to any animal. The Order defines ‘under control’ as ‘restrained by a chain or other sufficient leash held by someone exercising proper control over the dog’.

The person in charge of any dog that is guilty of such an offence is liable to a fine of up to £1,000, and a court may call for the dog to be destroyed.

Many pet dogs will run after animals just for the chase. Any breed, no matter what size, can revert to its primitive, wolf-like instinct. In most sheep worrying cases, the dog involved will maim and injure the animal and move onto the next one for the thrill of the chase, which can result in a large flock being destroyed.

Enforcement Officers respond to all incidents of worrying or attacks that are reported to the Dog Control Service. The council would encourage anyone who witnesses a livestock worrying incident to report this to the Dog Control Service on 0300 303 1777.

For more information on livestock worrying, please visit the Dog Licensing section of the council website (www.fermanaghomagh.com).