Mattie McGrath: Urgent plea over dogs attacking sheep
Mattie McGrath warned about dangerous dog attacks on sheep and urged that the issue be dealt with. He described personal experience, saying his son is a sheep farmer and that neighbouring families have been "annihilated" by dog attacks.
McGrath said dogs - especially bigger dogs - chase and attack sheep, leaving animals worried, harried and unable to thrive. He described the attacks as the height of cruelty and stressed the difficulty of identifying which dog is responsible.
He said the problem is widespread among ordinary households and is deeply unfair on farming families who tend livestock and carry out animal husbandry. McGrath noted some farmers have shot dogs and then faced legal trouble for doing so.
McGrath highlighted enforcement challenges, saying reports to the guard get a response but do not resolve the problem. He pointed to a lack of local capacity, noting there was only one dog warden in South Tipperary, making the situation effectively impossible to manage.
He thanked presenters and apologised for arriving late, reiterating that the issue needs to be dealt with and expressing concern for both animal welfare and the safety of farming families. McGrath urged authorities to address the widespread problem.
Key concerns raised
McGrath said dogs - especially bigger dogs - chase and attack sheep, leaving animals worried, harried and unable to thrive. He described the attacks as the height of cruelty and stressed the difficulty of identifying which dog is responsible.
Impact on farmers and animals
He said the problem is widespread among ordinary households and is deeply unfair on farming families who tend livestock and carry out animal husbandry. McGrath noted some farmers have shot dogs and then faced legal trouble for doing so.
Enforcement and resource gaps
McGrath highlighted enforcement challenges, saying reports to the guard get a response but do not resolve the problem. He pointed to a lack of local capacity, noting there was only one dog warden in South Tipperary, making the situation effectively impossible to manage.
Calls for urgent action
He thanked presenters and apologised for arriving late, reiterating that the issue needs to be dealt with and expressing concern for both animal welfare and the safety of farming families. McGrath urged authorities to address the widespread problem.
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Transcript
Okay, we've done the rounds with the members. Just, I'm very sorry when I wanted to come in, but today I just want our meetings so much on a Wednesday. Look, the situation, my son is a sheep farmer, he's a sheep farmer, you're on the dogs, and it's a huge issue. We've been fortunate in the area, not going down mountains, but neighbouring families have been annihilated. And, you know, when the sheep get chased and attacked by any dog, but bigger dogs especially, and they're all worried and harried and they don't thrive. And it's the height of cruelty and, you know, it's so hard to prove what dog even they can identify them and everything else. Some of them have shot dogs and they get in trouble, you know, for that. So it's an issue that needs to be dealt with because it's pretty widespread with people. You know, the problem is people in ordinary houses or whatever, maybe anyone, these are not, these are, these are ordinary people, but they're big dogs, dangerous dogs, and they're quite dangerous. And you report them to the guard, they get a response, but they can't really deal with it. So the dog wardens, they were only one in South Tipperary. It's literally impossible. And it's a very serious situation. And it's just so unfair on the animal cruelty. It's horrific, but it's so unfair on families as well because farmers, sheep farmers especially, or cattle, they tend to their animals and they make some of the animal husbandry and they don't want this happening. In any case, so I thank you for your presentation today. I'm sorry I didn't get it after maybe, but it needs to be dealt with. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.