Residents in the Tonbwee area of Castleisland expressed concern when a calf was found with severe wounds after being attacked by a pair of Dobermann Pinschers in a field in the area earlier on Wednesday. The calf, one of five which had been grazing in the roadside field, was found dying of its injuries on Wednesday evening by its owner, Jerry Cremins.
Neighbours spotted the comotion in the field – across the road from the Rhyno Mills and from Garvey’s SuperValu – but it wasn’t until Mr. Cremins called to the field later to check on his animals that he discovered the real nature of that commotion.
Mr. Cremins immediately called a vet to have the unfortunate animal put out of its mysery. He was informed that the dogs had been seen in the field earlier and the calf bore all the marks of a savage attack. There were obvious bite marks to its face, ears, neck and legs and Mr. Cremins was advised to notify the local Garda Station – where he later filed a complaint.
Immediate action was taken by Sgt. John O’Mahony and the dogs were removed from the owner’s premises today by Kerry
County Council dog wardens. The remains of the calf, estimated to be worth €250 to €260 in full health, was also removed for safe disposal this afternoon.
Guidelines had been issued with the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 and imposed additional rules in relation to the following breeds, strains or cross-breeds of dogs in Ireland. All of these must be with their handler or owners and muzzled at all times in public in Ireland: American Pit Bull Terrier; English Bull Terrier; Staffordshire; Bull Terrier; Bull Mastiff; Dobermann Pinscher; German Shepherd / Alsatian; Rhodesian Ridgeback; Rottweiler; Japanese Akita; Japanese Tosa and every dog of the type commonly known as a Ban Dog or Bandog.
All the above dogs or strains and crosses of them must be: 1.Kept on a short, strong lead by a person over 16 years who is capable of controlling them; 2. Must be muzzled whenever they are in a public place and 3. Must wear a collar bearing the name and address of their owner at all times.
While Jerry Cremins didn’t want to make any great fuss about the killing of his calf, people in the area saw the matter in a very different light:
“I was talking to people around the place and they told me I should get onto the guards about it. They were afraid that these dogs could attack a child next and they pointed out all the children passing by down to the community college as well. I had no choice in the matter. I saw what they did to the calf and a child would have no chance against them,” said Jerry.
Anyone breaking the laws on the control of Dogs in Ireland faces a fine and possible prison sentence. Members of the public who notice out of control dogs, should – note details of any offender, description of owner and type of dog, their car registration etc and report the incident to their local Garda station.
It is especially important that the public report to the Garda those owners who have not muzzled any controlled dogs – as defined in Irish control of dogs laws in public. These dog control laws apply to all public areas in the Republic of Ireland.
Because some of these breeds of dogs tend to attract both immature and aggressive owners – among the responsible, and because the unmuzzled dog could attack you – it would be unwise to approach the owner. Just phone the Garda and let them question and deal with the dog owner.
