The farming communities in Abbeyleix and Timahoe are both in anger after a number of sheep were killed by dogs over the weekend.
In Abbeyleix, one sheep was killed by a dog attack while others were injured in the same incident.
A farmer in Timahoe experienced an even worse incident when five sheep were savaged during different dog attacks, while several of the farmer’s sheep were injured.
As farmers enter the busy and stressful lambing and calving season, it is an unwanted problem with many ewes currently lambing.
A dog attack can not only end in death of sheep and injury, but also the loss of the lamb or lambing complications.
With vulnerable sheep and young lambs soon to be filling the fields around the county, the farming community are urging all dog owners to make sure their dogs are secure at night.
Also, if members of the public come across an attack or stray dogs, then they are asked to contact the relevant authorities.
Authorities have warned that if a dog is found to have attacked sheep, the owner of the dog is also liable to cost of the damage caused.
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