In this the Lambing Season extra vigilance is required by dog owners – be you a rural dweller or if you walk your dog in the countryside at this time of year keep your dog on a lead. Any dog including family pets can become involved in a sheep kill if we (humans) give them the opportunity . Dog owners are being urged to remember how vulnerable sheep are to dog attacks – especially during lambing season. “Some 2.5 million lambs will be born on farms all over Ireland this springtime. Sheep flocks are very vulnerable to dog attacks at this critical time, and especially during the night,” “The presence of dogs, even on a lead, can alarm sheep prior to lambing and have a detrimental effect on both the sheep and their lambs.

If anyone has any traps at their houses belonging to RCDR could they return them ASAP - we have several premises to attend and need them now . Please ring Irene 0876464389 if you need help returning cages. Thanks!

We would ask all those people who have dogs in their care to be extra careful at the present. There seems to be an increase in the number of dogs missing. There have been many stories of dogs being stolen. Please do not leave a dog unattended in the front garden for long periods, especially bordering on a busy road. It is advised to keep a dog/ dogs in the back garden and once again to check regularly on them. If your dog has gone missing, then it is advisable to ring the local Gardai station, vets, or any local shelters, rescue centres nearby.