Effectual Control: Exposing the Reality of Dog Attacks on Sheep.

In this episode of Fianna Fáil:In Our Own Words, Senator Paul Daly speaks with County Monaghan father and daughter Eamonn and Niamh Monahan who he hosted in Leinster House so they could present the results of their survey on sheep attacks. Dog attacks on livestock have become a devastating and far more common reality for sheep farmers across Ireland. According to their research 73% of farmers reporting attacks on their flocks, an average of 18 sheep killed per incident and more than three‑quarters do not receive compensation. Eamonn and Niamh, have a family farm in Inniskeen, Co. Monaghan and have endured four dog attacks in just five years. Last year they lost four pedigree in‑lamb ewes, a pedigree ram and nine unborn lambs in an attack. They launched a national survey and are elevating the voices of affected farmers across the country. They are calling for urgent change to protect livestock, livelihoods, and rural communities. This episode is a powerful reminder that responsible dog ownership isn’t just about loving animals, it’s about effectual control and shared responsibility.