'Scourge of dog attacks has to be confronted' - Gorman
The president of the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) Francie Gorman said the "scourge of dog attacks" must be confronted by "imposing the full rigours of the law".
The comments came as the IFA launched the 2026 ‘No Dogs Allowed’ campaign with Comhairle na Tuaithe in the Cooley peninsula in Co. Louth.
"The reality is that dog owners who behave irresponsibly don’t believe there will be consequences for their actions.
"Until the authorities devote the resources needed to crack down on this behaviour, the devastation caused by dog attacks will continue," Gorman said.
Dog attacks
Comhairle na Tuaithe have joined forces with IFA for the first time to reinforce the message around responsibile dog ownership.
Comhairle na Tuaithe was established in February 2004 as a non-statutory body and plays a role in the strategic development of the outdoor recreation sector.
The group includes farming organisations, recreational users of the countryside, and state bodies with a responsibility or interest in the countryside.
Éamon Ó’Cúiv, chair of Comhairle na Tuaithe, said: "We all recognise the benefits of spending time outdoors and here in Ireland we are fortunate to have so many wonderful opportunities.
"We all need to be mindful that many of our trails and walking routes are on private lands and without the goodwill of farmers we would not have access to many areas of the countryside".
Comhairle na Tuaithe recognises the benefits associated with dog ownership and support the provision of dog-friendly amenities.
The group agrees that some outdoor places are not suitable to bring a dog for exercise, including upland areas of farmland.
IFA first launched the ‘No Dogs Allowed’ campaign in 2021.
However, the farm organisation believes that neither the government nor local authorities has done enough to address the issue.
The campaign calls for stronger powers of enforcement for dog wardens and gardaí and clarity on these powers.
Along with increased fines for failing to have a dog under control, the campaign also demands "significant on-the-spot fines for dogs found worrying livestock".
National database
IFA Sheep chair Adrian Gallagher said the association has "consistently called for appropriate sanctions" and to develop a single national database identifying dogs and their owners.
"The critical issue in the first instance is to have all dogs in the country microchipped, registered to the owner and licensed in order to establish a national database for all dogs and the person responsible for the dog.
"It’s a critical time of the year as lambing is taking place. Dogs are not allowed on or near farmland and we are asking dog owners to behave in a responsible way and adhere to this," he said.
"The lack of robust enforcement of the legal obligations on dog owners has allowed horrendous attacks to persist and increase across the country. It is unacceptable.
“We are demanding stronger regulations and stricter enforcement for those who disregard the safety and wellbeing of our livestock," Gallagher said.
The IFA Sheep chair reminded dog owners that they are fully liable for any damages caused to farmers and their livestock and dogs found on farm lands can be shot.
A high-level stakeholder group chaired by retired Deputy Garda Commissioner, John Twomey was established in 2024 to consider policy and legislative matters, including the Dog Control Act.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon previously said he is currently awaiting a report from the group which could include increasing fines, a measure he is in favour of.
Last month, the minister launched a campaign urging dog owners to act responsibly and ensure their pets are under control during the lambing season.
