INHFA concerned about dog attacks
A spate of dog attacks on livestock across Ireland has sparked frustration and anger among farmers and farming organisations. In light of the attacks, the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers’ Association (INHFA) is demanding that authorities take action. The farming organisation maintains that the issue is at crisis point and has launched a petition, described as a “book of evidence”, which has now been submitted to the Irish government and the European Parliament.
Attacks are “disturbingly vicious”
The petition demands the establishment of a national dog DNA register, stricter legislation and government-led enforcement. According to INHFA president, John Joe Fitzgerald, dog attacks are increasing in frequency and have become “disturbingly vicious”. Mr Fitzgerald says that the lack of action to curtail the problem means that farmers feel “abandoned, disrespected, and unprotected by a government that continues to treat them as second-class citizens”.
Mr Fitzgerald went on to describe farmers’ feeling that law and order is breaking down, and that dog owners are “showing blatant disregard for the safety of farm animals and the rights of landowners.”
What the INHFA is asking for
The INHFA demands, as set out in its petition to the relevant governing authorities, include the following:
- Mandatory dog licensing, as well as microchipping and DNA sampling of all dogs
- Creation of a centralised database, overseen by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Provision of a one-off government subsidy to cover the cost of DNA sampling, to include a clear time limit to encourage compliance
- A no-tolerance policy for non-compliance after the deadline for DNA testing
- The creation of legislation banning non-working dogs from hills and farmlands, enforced by potential criminal penalties
Legislate for better outcomes
The INHFA maintains that these actions would help to deliver better outcomes when it comes to dog control. However, Mr Fitzgerald emphasised the need for enforcement of any new legislation, which he regards as “virtually non-existent”; as well a renewed focus on education for dog-owners.
The INHFA says it would like to see a number of changes in Ireland’s approach to dog control laws, to include implementation of stronger penalties for dog owners, zero-tolerance from presiding judges, and the creation of roaming patrol units in tourist hotspots.
In order to properly enforce dog control laws, the farm organisation is also calling for:
- Stronger penalties
- Zero-tolerance from judges
- Roaming patrol units comprised of Gardaí, dog wardens and NPWS rangers to manage in tourist hotspots
- A significant increase in the number of dog wardens employed by the state
Current resources inadequate?
In relation to dog wardens, the INHFA argues that one warden per county is inadequate; while there is an urgent need for a national education campaign, rolled out through schools and the tourism sector, to inform the public about dog attacks and livestock worrying.
Mr Fitzgerald stressed that these measures would not constitute an overreaction. “This is a please for basic protection and equal treatment,” he said. “Our animals are sufferings. Our communities are suffering. We’ve been ignored long enough.” The INHFA feels that the introduction of more restrictive legislation would send a clear and unambiguous message to those who “refuse to respect farming families, property rights and the law.”
