Cllrs urge public to 'lock up their dogs at night' after Moneygall incident

North Tipp councillors are urging members of the public to ensure their dogs are locked up at night following the terrible sheep-killing incident in Moneygall recently.

Cllr Joe Hannigan told the Nenagh MD December meeting that everyone was horrified when they heard about the terrible incident of a dog badly attacking a child in Wexford. “Then there was the incident on December 10th of dogs killing 50 sheep in Moneygall.

“Many of us have dogs,” commented the councillor. “Many of us love our dogs. I love dogs. But I wonder about people's level of care and about people who own dangerous breeds of dogs like the American Pitbull. Can we do anything to monitor how these dogs are controlled? I see people with 2, 3, maybe six dogs. We all love dogs but there is a limit to the number we should have. One or two is ample. We had a situation in our own area recently where we were looking for roaming dogs and were worried what they might do, but we couldn't find them. Do you remember the TV ad many years ago which showed a dog being let out in the yard for the evening, terrorising the countryside, and then returning home to a warm welcome from the unsuspecting dog owner?”

Cllr John Carroll said dogs are sometimes being housed in “very substandard accommodation from an animal welfare point of view. When it comes to dangerous breeds like the Rottweiler or Pitbull you should have to demonstrate that you have the competency to look after these dogs.”

Cllr Hughie McGrath, Cathaoirleach, pointed out that a lot of people are not familiar with the Control of Dogs Act. “We should hold an ad campaign informing people about what is stated in the Dogs Act and tell people don't make up your own version of what you think it is. A lot of times the dogs doing the damage are not dangerous breeds but are dogs such as the golden retriever, labradors and cross breeds. They are often lovely dogs until they gather in a pack and roam the countryside.”

Cllr Ger Darcy pointed out that everyone has a responsibility to keep their dogs under control, and to properly look after them. “They could be very cuddly but when they are in a pack it is their nature and they could do anything. People should make sure their dogs are locked up at night.” The other councillors agreed.