UFU urges dog owners to be responsible

UFU deputy president Victor Chestnutt said: “The weather forecast is set to be promising over the Easter weekend and dog owners will be venturing outdoors to enjoy the sunshine.

“I would like to remind all dog owners to be responsible and ensure their dog behaves appropriately.

“With many public parks and spaces closed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many dog owners and their dogs will be walking along rural roads, through the countryside next to fields and farms.”

Mr Chestnutt says that keeping a dog on a lead when visiting the countryside is one way of practising responsible dog ownership.

“During early spring Northern Ireland’s countryside plays home to many pregnant ewes and new born lambs.

“Dogs should not be permitted to disturb these animals. If a dog were to engage in a chase this could result in injury or death of those sheep who fall foul to the actions of irresponsible dog owners.

“Sheep that have been chased by dogs in the past and have survived, never fully recover from the attack.

“This can result in the ewe aborting her lamb and mismothering causing a serious financial loss and stress for the farmer, not forgetting the long term effects of increased levels of depression and disorientation amongst the flock.

“I have spoken many times in the past on the issue of livestock worrying, a matter that remains a big concern for UFU members.

“I again appeal to all dog owners, dog wardens and local authorities to step up to the mark and prevent incidences of livestock worrying occurring in Northern Ireland’s countryside.

“UFU members will not tolerate attacks on their livestock which can also be defined as a direct attack on the farmer and his/her family.

“I would ask all farmers to ensure that all incidences of livestock worrying are reported to your local dog warden for investigation,” said the UFU deputy president.

In Northern Ireland dog wardens are employed by each of the eleven local councils and can be contacted via the telephone numbers below:

COUNCIL CONTACT NUMBER(S)

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council

078 4197 0084

Ards and North Down Borough Council

030 0013 3333

028 9182 4005

Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council

0300 0300 900

Belfast City Council

028 9027 0431

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council

077 7593 8003

078 5057 0763

077 9416 5161

078 8970 7083

Derry and Strabane District Council

077 3412 8096

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council

077 1824 8111

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council

078 9987 6081

Mid Ulster District Council

Contact via PSNI

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council

028 25 633 120

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council

079 6757 1387