by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent
A CLONMANY farmer has urged local people to make
sure their dogs are kept under control at all times
after his prize lamb, worth more than €1000, was
savaged in a vicious and frenzied attack.
The Inishowen sheep breeder was shocked to discover
the grizzly sight of his pure bred ten-month old
Suffolk ewe lamb lying in a pool of blood on
Tuesday.
On Monday night two dogs, a collie and black
labrador, separated the lamb from an older sheep in
a chase and cornered the valuable animal before
tearing its jaw clean off in a savage attack. The
lamb subsequently bled to death through the night,
lying upside down in freezing conditions.
Speaking to the Inishowen Independent, the upset
farmer, who did not want to be identified, said the
lamb was his prize asset. A twin of the dead animal
was sold last year for €950.
“You would have heard me miles away when I saw the
lamb. I couldn’t believe it because it was my best
animal, my prize asset. I kept the lamb in the field
beside my house so I could keep a better eye on
her,” he said.
“I’m just so annoyed because this was one of the
best lambs I ever had. I have fed her for shows over
the winter and intended to use her for breeding in
the future. I was really looking forward to seeing
how she would have fared in shows. This attack was
such a waste and could have been easily prevented.
“People need to realize that if they let their dogs
off the lead then this type of thing can happen and
they could be left with a bill running into
thousands of euro as a result. Loose dogs can cause
all kinds of devastation to young sheep and lambs. I
have my own sheepdog but he is only ever allowed off
the lead when he is working with me,” the farmer
added.
The farmer said a neighbour had attempted to alert
him to the fact that there were two dogs on the
loose but his phone was switched off and he did not
get the message in time to save the lamb.
It is understood that Gardai have investigated the
matter and that one of the two dogs has since been
put down with its owner admitting liability for the
attack and facing a hefty bill. The owner of the
other dog is yet to be contacted. |
