Banning dogs from all hills and commonages and mandatory theory tests for new dog owners are some of the stricter measures that were called for by farm organisations and politicians at a recent Joint Oireachtas Committee for Agriculture meeting.

The committee met with various farm organisations last week to discuss issues around dog control and sheep worrying.

There was a general agreement from attendees that further funding and powers should be given to both An Garda Síochána and county dog wardens to scan dogs and to allow them follow a dog into a private residence.

The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) also called for the Animal Welfare Act to be revised to include that when a dog owner is found to be negligent in the event of a sheep attack, they should be prohibited from owning dogs in the future.

In addition, the IFA sheep committee policy executive Tomas Bourke said all dogs should be banned from hills and commonages. “We need to announce a ban on all dogs on all hills and commonage grounds because it cannot be policed. We’re now at the height of people and walkers walking through our lands, bringing their dogs with them.”

Measures

Other measures brought forward during the meeting include the mandatory microchipping of dogs, the formation of a DNA database of all dogs in the country, and an amendment to law to allow licensed gun owners, with permission, to come onto a farm to dispose of a dog that is harming livestock.

Fianna Fáil senator Paul Daly also made calls for all new dog owners to take a theory test before being able to adopt.

“A dog owner, of any breed of a dog, should not be allowed to chip a dog or get a licence without doing a theory test. Anyone could have a dog but not know the consequences of having a dog,” he said.

Following a proposal by Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice, the committee will draft a report on dog control and sheep worrying to present to the Department of Agriculture.