A sheep which was badly injured in the attack
ERNE North, Councillor John Coyle, who is also a farmer, has described the scene of an attack on sheep near Belleek as ‘gruesome and deeply distressing’.
In the early morning attack on Saturday last, 7th November, on a farm at the Commons, a couple of miles from the village, one sheep was killed, another mauled and several others were traumatised and had to be attended to by a vet.
The farmer in question has a 100-strong flock that were split into two batches, He made the gruesome find when he went out to check on them at around 8.30 on Sunday morning. The mauled sheep had its right flank ripped open.
Councillor Coyle, pictured below who knows the farmer personally, said the man was ‘very upset’.
“To see your animals mauled and slaughtered in this way is deeply distressing. It was either a single dog or a pack of dogs.
“I know from personal experience that the one large cross-bred dog was involved. It was later put down.
“I would urge all local dog owners to ensure that their animals are kept under control and that they are brought in at night as this is an important time of year for sheep farmers. They are carrying lambs and a dog attack like this could make them abort.
“Farming is difficult enough, with profit margins getting tighter all the time, and a setback like this does affect a farm business.”
Mr Coyle appealed to dog owners who may have noticed blood on their dog at the weekend to have their pet destroyed.
“It isn’t fair they keep a dog like that because once it has tasted blood, it will come back and attack.”
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, the PSNI have made an appeal for information about missing sheep near Irvinestown.
Ten sheep are reported missing from land in the vicinity of Seemuldon, Lack Road, Irvinestown from October 31.
The animals had a purple N marking on them. If you can help the PSNI with enquiries call the 101 number or the confidential number 0800 555 111.
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