Rural Life
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon seems to have ruled out a compensation scheme for farmers whose livestock is impacted by dog attacks.
Sheep
Gardaí have confirmed that a sheep attack has taken place in Clonart, Co. Longford and that investigations are ongoing.
Sheep farmers in west Donegal have been left "reeling" after a serious dog attack resulted in the death of one ewe and several miscarriages.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon urged dog owners to act responsibly and ensure their pets are under control during the lambing season.
N.Ireland
New figures from NFU Mutual have estimated that livestock worth £152,000 were severely injured or killed in dog attacks during 2025 in NI.
A 78-year old east Clare man who has pleaded guilty to owning a dog that 'worried' livestock has escaped a conviction.
A senator has called for intervention from the department to stop 'the growing number' of dog attacks on sheep across the country.
2024 saw a 4% increase in the number of livestock worrying incidents reported to local authorities,...
Farmers are urging dog owners to keep their pets on leads as attacks on livestock continue to occur...
Dog worrying or attacks on livestock can have devastating impacts for farms. Farmers continue to...
Derry City and Strabane District Council has launched an investigation into dog attacks after five sheep were reported killed.
Minister Heydon has been called on to secure sufficient resources in Budget 2026 so his department can address dog control issues.
The INHFA has said it "demands action" on livestock worrying and dog attacks, saying the issue has reached a "crisis point".
A councillor has called for a portion of the dog licence fee to be ringfenced to compensate farmers who have lost sheep due to dog attacks.
Agri Politics
The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers' Association (INHFA) has submitted a petition to the European Parliament on the issue of dog control.
Farmer Dan O'Donoghue plans to 'get out of' the sheep industry completely, following his third dog attack in 18 months
A council in Northern Ireland has prosecuted a dog owner for the second time for offences relating to "livestock attacking and worrying".
As lambing season gets underway, gardaí have issued an appeal to the public to report sightings of out-of-control dogs.
Sheep farmers based in Co. Monaghan, Eamonn and Niamh Monahan, are continuing to gather data on dog attacks to present to government
Minister confirms new campaign to "reinforce responsible dog ownership from the perspective of harm to both humans and other animals".
Farm animals in Northern Ireland worth an estimated £218,000 were severely injured or killed in dog attacks in 2024.
Gardaí in Galway have issued a stark warning that a farmer is "within their right to shoot any animal that is worrying their livestock".
A Wicklow county councillor has urged the public to keep their dogs on a lead at all times to prevent dog attacks in the area.
