Tougher legislation is needed to control dogs from attacking and chasing sheep.
A valuable flock of Clun Forest sheep out in a field at Knockmaroon near the Phoenix Park and several Dublin housing estates.
It would be only a matter of minutes for a dog, any dog, to kill or maim one of these animals.
In 1963, the population of sheep in Ireland was five million. By 1968, the figure had dropped to four million. Sheep farmers say that this is partly due to the difficulty they face to protect flocks bands of marauding dogs.
The law requires that every dog owner have a licence, a collar and a tag. However, many dogs roam the streets without any identification. It is often these dogs that worry sheep and cause hundreds of pounds of damage. Almost any dog can become a killer.
Eric Daunt Smyth, Chairman of the Dublin County Executive of the National Farmers' Association, is deeply concerned about losses to the sheep population. He says that as Dublin city expands, farmers on the outskirts of the city are facing an ever increasing threat from dogs.
These are killer dogs that are coming out and hunting in packs.
It is often the case that while the sheep are not killed, they are so badly injured that they have to be put down.
It's the most shocking sight to see a field of dead sheep.
Eric Daunt Smyth says that part of the problem is the change in the profile of the population of dogs with larger and more dangerous breeds. Many of these dogs have a killer instinct. He acknowledges the challenges facing Gardaí in enforcing the existing law. He believes there is a need for tougher legislation that can be enforced as is done in other European countries. While farmers have the right to shoot dogs that are worrying their sheep, he does not want farmers to take the law into their own hands. His message to dog owners is to keep their animals locked up at night.
This episode of 'Newsbeat' was broadcast on 20 February 1969. The reporter is Cathal O'Shannon.
'Newsbeat' was a half-hour feature programme presented by Frank Hall and ran for seven years from September 1964 to June 1971. 'Newsbeat' went out from Monday to Friday on RTÉ television and reported on current affairs and issues of local interest from around Ireland. The final programme was broadcast on 11 June 1971.
