Farmer calls for action as llama injured after 'continuous' dog attacks

3 hours ago

Elaine MitchellBBC News NI south west reporter

News image — Nigel McMullan got the male llama to protect his sheep

BBC A man stands to the right of frame. In the background, slightly blurred is a llama. The animal is standing facing a wall. It has what looks like wounds to the side of its body. In focus, the man is wearing navy overalls and a black woolen hat. he has a serious look on his face. — Nigel McMullan got the male llama to protect his sheep

A County Tyrone farmer who has said that dog attacks on his farm are "continuous" is calling for more to be done to tackle livestock worrying.

In the latest incident at Nigel McMullan's farm in Ballygawley, a llama was badly injured when he was attacked by two dogs who caused multiple wounds to his abdomen.

Lilly the llama was bought as a guard by the farmer to help protect his sheep after a spate of dog attacks in the past five years.

"It was just heartbreaking to see this going on - these attacks are continuous for me in this area and there's very little that we can do about it," he said.

The farmer, who is calling for tougher penalties for livestock worrying, said this the the fourteenth or fifteenth such attack at his farm.

"It was awful to hear Lilly screaming every time the dog was taking a pluck at his wool, I made my way down the field and seen the dogs with Lilly lying completely helpless," McMullan told BBC News NI.

Warning: This article contains images some might find distressing.

A llama stands in a farmyard. He is close to the camera and standing side on. He is white and chestnut coloured and has ruffled looking fur. Parts of it look matted with what looks like blood. It's a bright day and in the background are green fields below a blue sky. — Lilly the male llama was attacked by two dogs and left gravely injured

McMullan said he has lost between 10 and 12 sheep, who were either killed by dogs or had to be put down because they were too injured.

"The monetary value of veterinary surgeons coming out on farm and on treating - we're into the thousands of pounds," he said.

"And then on the value of stock lost, well, at today's prices you're into three, four, five thousand pounds."

An injured llama stands in a farmyard. It's standing side on to the camera and has a white and chestnut coloured coat. Its coat is shaved in parts, and matted in blood in others. Blue markings from wound spray are dotted over its back and side. — Lilly's injuries were mainly to his torso and abdomen

Figures from the agricultural insurer NFU mutual show that the cost of dog attacks on livestock rose almost 50% last year to an estimated £218,000.

Livestock worrying is a criminal offence that carries a fine of up to £1,000.

In Northern Ireland, local councils oversee issues related to dog control. They can investigate complaints, seize dogs and prosecute owners.

McMullan said the penalties imposed on dog owners don't go far enough.

"I have been out thousands in veterinary bills and loss of animals and also sleepless nights, coming up and down the road continuously at night checking to make sure stock is safe and OK," he said.

"So, really, the penalty is very, very minute compared to what the farmers in this area have to put up with."

A woman stands in a garden like space. She has grey hair that's cut above her shoulders. She is wearing a polka dot scarf in black and grey and a pale pink jacket. — Councillor Frances Burton is the chair of Mid Ulster Council

Councillor Frances Burton of the DUP, the chair of Mid Ulster Council, said the issue of livestock worrying "has to be a priority".

"We take all of these type of issues seriously and we will have the opportunity to write to Daera (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) and maybe it is an opportunity to look at fines.

"For that farmer, this is totally soul-destroying and it can completely wreck his livelihood for that year, so we do have to take these concerns seriously and do all that we can for the farmer."

Bethany McMullan A blonde woman in a purple top holds her hands ou to feed a tall llama. the llama is in a field behind a wire fence. It's fluffy and has a soft looking white and chestnut coat. — In happier times Lilly was a pet to the McMullan family

McMullan said Lilly is still under the supervision of a vet and faces a high risk of infection from the dog bites.

"It's heartbreaking to see him in the shape that he's in compared to what he was with a big fluffy coat of wool on him," he said.

"Everybody adores him, everyone loves to see him.

"He's maybe not the friendliest, but he comes to us and we pet him and he's a bit of an attraction."

Legislation falls under the remit of Daera and Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has said he is aware of the "devastating impact" of livestock worrying.

"My department continues to highlight the need for dog owners to comply with the law on livestock worrying, including the need to have control over their dog at all times, especially in the countryside," he said.