A sheep farmer based in Inniskeen, Co. Monaghan has created an anonymous, online survey to gather statistics on dog attacks on flocks in Ireland.

Niamh Monahan and her father Eamonn have had four attacks on their sheep in the last five years, with the most recent attack resulting in 25% of their herd being "wiped out".

In the attack this month, five pedigree texel sheep were killed, with four of the ewes due to lamb in the next two weeks. Another four sheep had to be recovered from a drain which they were chased into.

Eamonn said that since speaking out about their experience, the farmers have been contacted by farmers from "every corner of the country".

"I look at my daughter here, she works hard as a teacher, but looks after the sheep and puts her everything into the job. We love dogs as well but people are just not being responsible," Eamonn said.

Niamh created the survey to gather the experiences of a selection of farmers throughout Ireland and gather data on dog attacks to push for action from government.

Over 400 responses have been gathered so far and Niamh said she would like to publish the results for everyone in the country to see, so that sheep farmers could resonate with the data, but also so that other members of the public could understand the "trauma caused".

"The attacks are not spoken about enough. With ourselves, it happens and you just want to get over it and move on. But the trauma of the attack never leaves you, it is always in the back of your mind," Niamh said.

The farmers received much support from neighbours, the local dog warden, and An Garda Síochana following the attack. After the incident, gardaí walked around the field with the farmers and are investigating the case since.

However, the Monahan's have been left with the emotional and financial burden of the pedigree sheep.

Niamh said that it is not just the five sheep that were killed, but “so much more”, including the nine lambs that they were due to have in the coming weeks, and the hours of work put into caring for them.

Niamh also created a survey circulated nationwide for teachers about the involvement of schools in teaching children about farm safety and pet behaviour.

She said that many students will grow to own pets of their own and that safety and responsibility is "something that should be taught from a young age".