This article is from page 4 of the 2014-11-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
PET OWNERS in North Clare have been warned to lock up their dogs, with local farmers threatening to shoot trespassing animals on sight.
This warning comes in the wake of a series of vicious attacks on farm animals in the Tubber area which has left a number of sheep and cattle dead or injured.
Clare dog warden, Frankie Coote, has warned pet owners in the Tubber and Boston areas to keep their ani- mals under control, with a number of farmers in the area coming together to protect their livestock.
“There has been a series of attacks on livestock in the Tubber area, the area has become a blackspot for dog attacks.
“The attacks are mostly on sheep, but the dogs will attack cows and horses as well.
“If the dogs bite a cow on its udder, it can bleed to death, and it’s very painful for the animal,” said Mr Coote.
“Two or three farmers have come together in the Tubber area and they will shoot animals who come onto their land.
“Normally, farmers cannot shoot dogs on their property unless they are actually attacking their animals at the time – but, if there is a history of dog attacks in an area they are legally entitled to do this.
“We would urge pet owners in the Tubber area to keep their animals under control.”
Meanwhile, farmers and pet owners in the Fountain on the outskirts of Ennis have been warned to be vig- ilant following a savage attack on a herd of sheep in the area last week. The attack saw three sheep being killed while a further three had to be put down afterwards.
According to Mr Coote, pet owners need to be extra vigilant, especially in certain weather conditions which can make make dogs act out of character.
“In my experience, the weather can be an issue and dogs are more likely to attack after a strong wind. Full moons also seem to be an issue for a lot of dogs,” he said.