Ultimatum issued by judge over 2 dogs in a 'sheep worrying' case
A judge has given a dog owner an ultimatum over his two dogs in a 'sheep worrying' case – build an enclosed pen or face destruction of the dogs.
At Gort District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett told dog owner, Patrick Landers, that he was not in favour of putting electronic collars on his dogs as a means of ensuring that the two stay on Landers’ property.
Judge Gabbett told Landers: “If they are bold enough, the collar will get them a jolt and they will keep going. My difficulty here is the worrying of the sheep and no collar will stop that."
"A high pen is the solution. It is that or destruction – I have given you very opportunity. Personally, I don’t think a collar will work.”
Landers of Ashfield Demesne, Gort, Co. Galway is before the court for not having his dog under control at Ashfield Demesne on February 23, 2024 and Judge Gabbett has previously found that the facts were proven against Landers.
In the case, Judge Gabbett previously commented: “This is an area where there are a lot of sheep. Once a dog has done this, they get a taste for it and it doesn’t go away.”
“It is lambing season and you’ll have dogs back out and they won’t be chasing big sheep, they will be chasing baby sheep and that is a very different target.”
Judge Gabbett said that the court had heard evidence from Galway County Council’s dog warden, Seamus Goldrick, detailing that two dogs belonging to Patrick Landers were not under control.
Previously in evidence, dog warden, Seamus Goldrick said that he received a call of a sheep attack in the Ashfield, Shanaglish area.
Goldrick said that on arriving at the area he came across three dogs not under control walking on the road . The dogs were traced back to the Landers' home.
In March of last year, one of the three Landers' dogs was voluntarily surrendered to Galway County Council and two remained with Landers.
A solicitor for Galway County Council set out to Judge Gabbett the latest situation.
He said that he was instructed that Landers has got dog licences for the dogs "but we are not entirely satisfied that the dogs are under his control."
Judge Gabbett said: "All I want to know that the dogs are suitably housed, not running out on the road and that they have licences.”
Judge Gabbett has adjourned the case to July 24 and said that July 24 is Landers’ 'final shot'.
