Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon appears to have ruled out a compensation scheme for farmers whose livestock is impacted by dog attacks.

In a recent parliamentary question, Fine Gael TD William Aird asked the minister to introduce a scheme for farmers who suffer "verified financial losses" as a result of dog attacks on their livestock.

The most recent data shows that there were 287 incidences of livestock worrying reported in 2024. This figure is up from 276 in 2023, and 268 in 2022.

In 2024, there were 2,077 animals attacked by dogs, 1,592 of those being sheep.

618 animals were maimed, killed, or put down as a result of dog attacks, including 494 sheep.

Livestock worrying

Minister Heydon said that the issue of livestock worrying has "been evident as a huge concern in the farming community for many years now".

He said the matter of compensation for livestock losses or injury due to dog attacks, would be a civil matter between the flock owner and the owner(s) of the dog(s) responsible for the attack.

Under the Control of Dogs Act 1986, it states "the owner of a dog shall be liable in damages for damage caused in an attack on any person by the dog and for injury done by it to any livestock".

"In such cases the provisions of the Civil Liability Act, 1961 shall apply accordingly," Minister Heydon added.

Dog attacks

The minister said he is determined to ensure that all dog owners understand their responsibility and the significant damage an uncontrolled dog can do to a flock.

"This is an issue of huge importance, to the community as a whole and to all those responsible for animals, including the farming sector and pet owners.

"Responsible dog ownership including effective control of dogs in a countryside setting is an important matter. I am personally invested in making a difference in this area," he said.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) recently launched a public awareness campaign focused on dog control around livestock.