[macvity]

dogs from next door attack my lambs.im in ireland with beltex sheep.i speak to this guy about his dogs last year he did nothing they are free all day and all night.i dont no what to do

[Hellybee]

Tell him under no uncertain terms that they will get the bullet if they're seen on your fields again, and get some gun carrying mates to do a stakeout.   I'd be livid.  Good luck. 

[kelly58]

So sorry to hear that, you must be livid ! Agree with shooting the culprits. Once they have a taste they will be back .
Irisponsible dog owners irk me. Its not the dogs fault but they suffer 

[Tim W]

Inform the police before you shoot the dogs

Best to have them understanding the problem before you take action ----then if/when you shoot a dog call the police and let them know

[devonlady]

Go to the Garda and tell them you'll shoot both dogs and owner

[Fleecewife]

Go to the Garda and tell them you'll shoot both dogs and owner

Perhaps not.

[SallyintNorth]

Oh that's terrible 

I don't know whether the law is the same in Ireland, but here you can certainly report the dog to the police and expect action to be taken.  You are also authorised to shoot the dog if you see it mid-attack and it cannot be called or frightened off.

How awful to have a neighbour who lets this happen more than once.   

[Rosemary]

I'm so sorry to hear this. We live right beside a town and a busy cycle track - I worry about this a lot.

Police, for sure.

[MarvinH]

Did you see the neighbours dogs attack?

[Fleecewife]

I think you need to think this through macvity and make sure you do everything legally.  I'm not sure if you're in Eire or NI, the law may be different between the two.
Firstly, for all of us as livestock keepers, our initial reaction when our animals are attacked is fury and the need to take revenge.  We must not do that. Our comments here have been made without having much information.

#how well is your land fenced?  You can't reasonably expect predators to stay off your land if you haven't done your best to protect your animals by good fencing.

#Are you sure this is a dog attack?  Could it be a badger or a fox?

#if you are sure it's dogs, is it definitely your neighbour's dogs, or are you assuming that?  You would have to see the attack in progress, and photographic proof would be good.  Seeing blood on the dogs muzzles would also be very suggestive that it was them.  At this stage you should report the attack to your police force.  If livestock crime is taken seriously in your district then they can compare saliva DNA from the dogs with that from your lambs and that would constitute proof in the eyes of the law.  It would then be up to the law to deal with the problem. At this stage ask them what your rights are.    Please please don't make threats against anyone.

#You should also approach your neighbour again, and let him know that you have reported the situation to the police.  Don't be aggressive, and if he becomes aggressive then walk away.

#If none of these measures work, then it may be that you will need to deal with the dogs yourself.  As Sally says, if you intend to shoot the dogs, you must do so during an attack, if that is the only way to deal with them ie you or your neighbour is unable to recall them.  You must have a clear field of fire, and this is not possible if you have close neighbours, or walkers paths nearby.  If you do shoot and kill the dogs then you must report it to the police.  You must make sure you are not committing a gun crime yourself, or any crime.

[devonlady]

Go to the Garda and tell them you'll shoot both dogs and owner

Perhaps not.

It's the only way they will take it seriously!!!!!

[Penninehillbilly]

Police for sure, and he should pay any vets costs, maybe even a letter demanding compensation for the upset?

[EP90]

The local Irish farmers round me post notices “ Any dogs found chasing or worrying livestock will be shot” and they do.
 Irish Statute link  http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1960/en/act/pub/0017/print.html
Ensure you follow the guide lines in section 4 and you’ll not have any problem with the Garda.  My feeling is they would rather you dealt with the situation by negotiation and if that fails then by following this statute, rather than involve them in a drawn out scenario (hopefully they have better things to do).
You might want to print off the statute and show your neighbour.

[Fleecewife]

Go to the Garda and tell them you'll shoot both dogs and owner

Perhaps not.

It's the only way they will take it seriously!!!!!

Of course they will - inciting someone to commit murder will be treated very seriously and is not what TAS is about; the same for someone threatening to commit murder.

I'm sure macvity wouldn't do such a thing.

[macvity]

thanks everyone for your info.this guy there is no talking to this guy.im in eire.this lad is in the ir. if you get me he can do what he wants.dogs out all night around the road.the police stopped a car on the main road outside my house two nights ago dogs run out onto the road around the police.police do nothing about this dogs.this guy just dont care.yes my gillfriend seen the dogs attack the lambs.we have our owne dog here she knows not to go near the sheep she is inside a fince so she cant get out.it was my dog that started barking so my girlfriend run out to see what was going on.girlfriend was going mad because she loves this lambs she is very upset.this sheep are beltex and cost me alot of money.i put them into the shed every night so i do look after them.i also have land away from the house so i have to put sheep in before i go anywhere its alot of worry.before 2016 every dog in ireland will have to have a chip in so person that ownes the dog is responsible for ownership.lamb alot better now eating well again.thanks for all the feed back.