Sheep kill in kilmainhamwood

A gruesome sight met a Kilmainhamwood farmer and his wife when they went to check on their flock of rare Shropshire sheep.
Bob Gogarty and his wife Rena were horrified when they saw one half eaten sheep lying dead and a second which was still alive, but with its intenstines hanging out. That animal had to be put down.
Five other sheep had been injured and a further three were missing.
“Dog owners need to realise their little pets are not as fluffy as you’d think,” Mr Gogarty said this week.
“What we saw on Monday morning was a scene of carnage. It was a savage attack on lambs that were almost ready for market.”
“It was a big shock. They are very placid animals. We don’t have to go looking for them or don’t need a sheepdog. We just call them and they come to us - they just follow us,” he said.
“It was devastating to see the animals suffering and to see their fear.
“People with dogs don’t understand how horrific it is.
“People with animals care for them. If somebody did something like this to a dog, they would be horrified,” he said.
Mr Gogarty pleaded with dog owners to make sure their animals are properly secured and they cannot get out.

Meath IFA spokesman, Anthony Clinton, said it was very important dog owners know where their animals are , especially at night.
“Farmers don’t want to have to shoot dogs, but they will if they have to,” he warned.
He also pointed out that there is a liability on dog owners and this kind of thing could mean a claim on their insurance.
Eamonn Meade, chairman of the Meath IFA Sheep Committee said dogs can wipe out a farmers income overnight.