Wicklow farmers highlight gruesome toll of unchecked dog attacks
The Wicklow PeopleThe Wicklow Cheviot Sheep Owners Association (WCSOA) has renewed their call for stricter dog control measures, following a rise in attacks on sheep in the county.
Chair Pat Dunne and vice chair Peter Behan were formally welcomed to Wicklow County Council’s monthly meeting on Monday to address the "stark and upsetting" issues facing sheep farmers, particularly regarding the impact of dog attacks on flocks.
The WCSOA, alongside the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) and Wicklow Uplands Council, have intensified their calls for more government intervention due to a sharp rise in "savage" dog attacks.
In 2024, the Department of Agriculture reported a six-year high in dog attacks on livestock. Officially, 1,592 sheep were attacked nationally in 2024, with 494 killed or euthanised.
The IFA estimates that between 3,000 and 4,000 sheep are injured or killed annually across Ireland, with average losses of 11 sheep per incident.
Local authorities noted a 4pc increase in reported incidents in 2024, though they warn of significant under-reporting by farmers.
Wicklow is the fifth largest county in Ireland for sheep numbers, with approximately 155,209 breeding ewes.
Over 233,000 lambs are born annually in the county, facing immediate risk from uncontrolled dogs during the spring season.
Wicklow is consistently identified as one of the most high-risk counties for dog attacks on sheep in Ireland, primarily due to the overlap of intensive hill farming with high-volume recreational tourism.
Historically, Wicklow has accounted for as much as 20pc of all sheep killed in reported attacks nationwide. In one year alone, the county recorded 800 sheep deaths out of a national total of 4,000.
While the national average is approximately 11 sheep killed or injured per attack, incidents in Wicklow often exceed this due to the pack nature of attacks in upland areas.
According to IFA figures Wicklow frequently ranks among the highest number of worrying livestock attack incidents:
Unlike counties with more lowland farming (such as Meath or Wexford), Wicklow's sheep are often grazed on commonage (land that is owned by more than one person) or near popular hiking trails like the Wicklow Way, increasing the chance of encounters with uncontrolled pets.
Attacks in the Wicklow Mountains are also harder to monitor. Dogs can chase sheep into rough ground, where they become trapped or fall, leading to deaths that are not immediately discovered.
Wicklow has seen more direct conflict between farmers and walkers than other counties, leading to the high-profile closure of routes like the Zig-Zag in Glenmalure.
The route, which provided a key access point from the Carrawaystick Waterfall toward Lugnaquilla is now strictly closed to the public following a physical assault on Mr Dunne by a disgruntled dog owner.
Then in 2025, the ‘No Dogs Allowed’ campaign was launched which was a response to escalating livestock worrying, exemplified by a local farmer who suffered three attacks in five years.
Addressing the elected members Mr Dunne said it’s important that dogs are kept under control as lambing season approaches.
“The last thing that anybody wants is a dog attack. The hardship that it brings on the livestock, on people, and on the people who own these dogs.”
Mr Behan said the WCSOA believes there should be a ban on non-working dogs in upland areas where livestock are present.
“That is just common sense to most sheep farmers, and I think it should be common sense to most people. Dog owners need to be confronted regarding a failure to take responsibility for their dogs. It's too late when the dogs have done the damage. It's too late then.”
Mr Behan also highlighted how signage is another issue.
“It is not for the lack of signs. It is just a lack of respect really. That's the way we see it,” he added.
The landscape for sheep farmers in Wicklow has shifted in recent months due to new legislative oversight and increased budgetary commitments, though Mr Behan continued to push for further enforcement during the current lambing season.
Policy and legislative responsibility for the Control of Dogs Acts fully transitioned to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) as of late 2025. This addresses the association's long-standing demand for a single state agency to manage dog control.
As of February 1, 2026, it is strictly illegal to own an XL Bully type dog without a Certificate of Exemption. Owners who failed to secure this certificate by the deadline now face dog seizure and euthanasia.
The Control of Dogs Bill is moving through the Oireachtas, aiming to mandate a national dog licensing database and provide for new dog control notices.
Wicklow County Council’s adopted budget for 2026 allocated €268,500 specifically for the operation of the Dog Warden Service, a slight increase from previous years to bolster enforcement.
In a unanimous show of support, councillors asked the executive to formally demand Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon and the Department of Rural and Community Development for a government-funded campaign to "embed in the consciousness" of dog owners that their pets are potential killers.
As the 2026 lambing season approaches, the message from the WCSOA is clear.
Without a shift in public behaviour, the ‘no dogs allowed’ signs currently appearing across the county may soon be followed by the permanent closure of more iconic local walking routes.