Sheep kill prompts alert to dog-owners

By Iveren McCallion

A councillor's urging dog-owners in rural areas to keep their pets under control.

It's after claims that sheep were killed at a south Armagh farm, the second such attack on the flock there in just six months.

The family farm in Glassdrumman lost a few sheep after a neighbour alerted the owners to the attack.

Local councillor Terry Hearty says dog-owners must be aware of the potential consequences of their dog's actions.

He said, "Fortunately they only lost a small amount of their flock.  Another neighbour two miles away almost had their flock wiped out.

"Some of these farmers are being forced out of sheep farming which has been in families for generations and find themselves in these dreadful situations because of careless dog owners".

He added, "I cannot stress enough how important it is, especially at this time of year.  If allowed to roam the countryside they 9dogs) can cause total devastation to flocks.  Sheep kills like this threaten a friend or neighbour’s livelihood, cause carnage and huge distress to the livestock."