WATCH: 16 sheep killed in devastating attack by two Rottweilers

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A DEVASTATING dog attack led to the death of 16 sheep in Brittas on Friday (September 13).

Two unleashed Rottweilers got away from their owners and attacked a large flock of sheep, killing seven, whilst a further eight had to be put down due to their injuries.

Most of the kills were lambs as they have more wool at this time and are not as strong and fast as the adults to escape.

A further sheep was put down on Wednesday morning due to injuries sustained in the attack, bringing the total of dead livestock to 16.

The carnage could have been much worse but the farmer arrived back as it was happening and managed to corral the dogs into a gated area to prevent further damage to the flock of sheep which numbers approximately 300.

Brittas farmer Thomas Broe was saddened by the grim sight when he returned to the farm on Friday at approximately 5.30pm, but said his biggest concern was his nine-year-old daughter and other kids in the community.

“She could have walked up the field and they could have turned on her. There are many other children in communities like this. We were lucky enough to have a gate and me and a neighbour held the dogs. Unfortunately, I’m used to it,” said Mr Broe.

Broe was returning from checking up on another flock of sheep in Rathangan when he noticed something was terribly wrong.

“When we came back we saw them all bunched up, and thought the dogs had gone, but they were attacking a lamb down the bottom of the field and were heading back up to the main flock. It’s a fair old distance.”

The Echo understands the dogs had to be put down and gardai were called.

Farmer Broe appealed for dog owners to leash their pets when they bring them for walks in rural areas.

The sheep in the field after the attack

“I have a sheepdog. He wouldn’t bite anyone but I wouldn’t let him out of my sight. Many dogs will be part of it and help the other dog do the killing. It’s only when dog owners see the damage it has caused that they realise what their dogs are capable of.”

Donie Anderson, the Bohernabreena branch rep for the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), and a farmer himself, agrees.

“It is not as bad as it used to be but one attack is too many. I would appeal to people to be aware, especially coming into the shorter days, to keep their dogs close. They mightn’t realise the way the full moon affects their dog’s behaviour.

“We are lucky that we have such good dog wardens in the county.”

On the other hand, farmer Brow feels gardai could “do more” having contacted a number of stations from Friday to Sunday in an effort to get a garda out to the site.

“I know they are busy with other things that might be more important but you have to report these things. They never asked who shot the dogs and if they have a licence,” said Brow.

“That is usually one of the first things they ask but this time they didn’t. I feel they could do more on this, especially when there are kids in the area.

“I have a collie and if you work him for a half an hour it will get tired, but with these restricted breeds, they can go on and on. They are not happy to just catch but to kill. It is a sport to them.”

The Echo contacted gardai for comment.