Derry City and Strabane District Council has launched an investigation into dog attacks on livestock after five sheep were reported killed over the last 10 days.
According to a spokesperson for the council the dog attacks took place in the Fyfin townland in Co. Tyrone.
The spokesperson for for Derry City and Strabane District Council added: “Council has undertaken a number of actions regarding the investigation already, including gathering evidence and witness statements, ensuring all dogs in the local area have been microchipped and have a valid dog licence and installed cameras and humane live catch traps at local farms to assist with obtaining evidence of dogs not kept under control and or involved in dog attacks on livestock”.
According to the spokesperson the council is also liaising with the PSNI regarding the recent reports and “investigations are ongoing”.
The council has advised that anyone who wants to report evidence regarding dog attacks in the Fyfin area should contact its Dog Control Service.
Sheep
Derry City and Strabane District Council has also warned that it will take “appropriate enforcement action based on the evidence that is available”.
The spokesperson for the council also said that consideration will be given to placing “control conditions on dog licences requiring dog owners to keep dogs in a secure area andor under control in a public place”.
“Licence control conditions have also been placed upon dogs that were previously straying which requires them to be kept in a secure area to prevent further straying,” they added.
According to the PSNI it is a “criminal offence” under the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1993 to allow a dog on any land containing livestock unless the dog is under control.
The PSNI has also detailed that if a dog worries sheep – attacks or kills sheep or chases them in a way that may cause injury, suffering or financial loss to their owner – the person in charge of that dog is guilty of an offence.
The penalty for this offence is a fine of up to £1,000.
