Laois councillor reveals stressful dog attack on his sheep

A Laois councillor and farmer has revealed that his sheep were recently the victim of a dog attack.

Cllr Ollie Clooney from Durrow, is a representative on the Mountmellick Borris-in-Ossory Municipal District.

He described the stress and the graphic damage caused to his "premium priced" sheep, speaking at the September meeting of Laois County Council.

Cllr Clooney had welcomed the new addition of a second dog warden for Laois, but expressed dissatisfaction at the response to his crisis.

"I welcome the dog warden increase in staff, but the service is very poor. I didn't get much help.

"I recently had an attack on sheep. The stress it caused to me and the sheep is unbelievable. 

"I bought them at a premium price. To see them lying there with their intestines out, their ears ate off, it was awful," he said.

"If people get sick of a dog, they don't take him to the pound. What happens is they let it off somewhere to stray. This is an awful problem," Cllr Clooney said.

Cllr Marie Tuohy agreed with him.

"The extra dog warden is very welcome. There is certainly enough work to be done. This is a one year contract but I hope it is extended.

"I empathise with you on the damage that can be done by a stray dog. It such an irresponsible, selfish thing to do to dump an animal," she said.

At the September meeting, Laois County Council confirmed it has received funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development to employ an additional Laois Dog Warden for a period of one year.

"Holly Harte took up employment with the ISPCA (who provide the service on behalf of the Local Authority) on the 21st
July 2025," they confirmed. 

Read also: Laois Dog Pound reaching full capacity as people urged to adopt a pet

She joins existing dog warden Tristan Blundell to cover services for Laois. Laois Dog Pound has been asked for a response.