Savage attack by dogs: Up to fifty sheep dead

A devastated Castlerea farmer says his livelihood has been put at risk after a a brutal attack by dogs left about fifty sheep dead and dozens more badly injured. 

  The grim discovery was made last Saturday morning by farmer Tommy Winston on lands he has rented at Cloonunra, which is located about three miles from Ballinlough village. The attack has been a dreadful setback at the start of a New Year for Tommy, his wife Marian and the couple’s two children.  

  The attack, believed to have been carried out by about six dogs, was a particularly devastating

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A devastated Castlerea farmer says his livelihood has been put at risk after a a brutal attack by dogs left about fifty sheep dead and dozens more badly injured. 

  The grim discovery was made last Saturday morning by farmer Tommy Winston on lands he has rented at Cloonunra, which is located about three miles from Ballinlough village. The attack has been a dreadful setback at the start of a New Year for Tommy, his wife Marian and the couple’s two children.  

  The attack, believed to have been carried out by about six dogs, was a particularly devastating one, with 96 sheep attacked – and up to 50 of them being killed. This week Tommy Winston outlined the shocking details of the extent of the loss. 

  “One ram and 46 ewes were killed. We removed the corpses that morning. Five more are missing. Seven are badly injured and will probably have to be put down. 37 more ewes were also attacked.” 

  The livestock – worth several thousand euro – were not covered by insurance as the lands on which the attack took place are rented and the location was not included by the insurance cover. 

  Tommy Winston told the Roscommon People on Wednesday that the scale of the attack has threatened his family’s livelihood. “We were not insured, it is devastating….I have invested a fair bit on sheep sheds and so on and am in no position now to buy more sheep. It’s a terrible start to the New Year. Like everyone else, we have bills to pay.” 

  When Mr. Winston contacted his insurers at the weekend, they confirmed that the lands at Cloonunra were not covered. The well-known insurance company agreed to include ‘Cloonunra’ from now on – and Mr. Winston promptly received a bill for €33 from the insurers earlier this week. 

   Showing considerably more compassion that the insurance company were the family’s neighbours, whom Tommy was quick to acknowledge. 

  “Our neighbours have been fantastic. They have been very, very supportive and we would be lost without out. I want to thank our neighbours, relations and friends for all their help and support.” 

Roscommon People

Issued dated 4th January 2013.