Gardaí received a report of an incident of theft that occurred in the Rosskirk area of Portsalon, Co. Donegal last week.

Five sheep were stolen from a field in the area between 3:00p.m on Tuesday, January 14 and 11:00a.m on Thursday, January 16. The animals included four black and white Dutch spotted sheep.

Investigations remain ongoing, and anyone with information has been asked to contact Milford Garda Station.

This follows on from an incident of stolen ewes and a Lanark ram lamb from the Glentogher area of Co. Donegal in late December.

Anyone who has been offered the sheep or may have seen them has been asked to get in touch with gardaí.

Separately, Independent councillor Michael McClafferty said that farmers around Co. Donegal are “pure tortured” by consistent dog attacks in the area.

The councillor said that people are “not getting the message” about dog worrying, and has asked the council to pass a rule that dogs must be kept of a leash in public spaces such as towns, beaches, walk trails etc.

The most up-to-date figures from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) from 2023 shows that there were two full time dog wardens in the county at the time, while there were eight accounts of dogs worrying livestock reported.

With lambing season on the horizon, gardaí in Co. Donegal has also reminded dog owners that their pet must be kept under control at all times.

“By being a responsible dog owner you can help prevent vicious attacks on defenceless sheep and on their lambs. With dog ownership comes responsibility. Secure your dog, have it microchipped and registered with your vet,” gardaí has stated.

Gardaí reminded owners that even if dogs are usually obedient with other animals, it is “every dog’s instinct” to chase.