A number of animals have been killed during incidents of sheep worrying in the Derryhaw area of Tynan.
Local farmers have been left counting the cost after their flocks were attacked by dogs venturing onto their lands on recent days.
And Newry and Armagh MLA William Irwin has called on dog owners to ensure their pets are kept under control and are not left free to roam and worry sheep.
The DUP representative – himself a farmer – said: “This is a concerning time of year for sheep farmers as they prepare for lambing season and farmers have contacted me with concerns that dog owners are in some cases completely unaware that their pets are chasing sheep and killing them. This is unacceptable.
“Sheep worrying is a real issue and a costly issue for farmers especially when dogs actually kill the sheep.
“Dog owners need to know where their dogs are and prevent them from freely roaming and attacking sheep.
“It is not abnormal for a dog to travel some distance before attacking sheep and this makes it very difficult for a farmer to try and identify the dog and know who actually owns the animal.
“That is why it is so important for dog owners not to allow their pets to simply roam the countryside as it can have costly consequences for the farmer.”
