Mayo man fined after dogs attacked sheep on Achill commonage

A JUDGE who fined a Mayo man whose two Alsatian dogs chased sheep in Achill resulting in two deaths commented that the effects dogs worrying livestock have on farmers goes beyond the damage caused.

Mark Kulendrai of Sion Hill, Castlebar appeared before Achill District Court where he was fined €500 after he pleaded guilty to offences under the Control of Dogs Act after his two Alsatian dogs chased sheep in Achill on August 7, 2024. The offences included allowing his dogs to worry livestock and allowing his dogs off a leash and them not having a muzzle.

The court heard that Mr Kulendrai was walking his two Alsatian dogs on the Keel Sandbanks when they 'bolted' after seeing a hare and gave chase. The strength of the dogs knocked Mr Kulendrai to the ground and his 17-year-old daughter was also unable to hold onto the leash and as a result the dogs also attacked ewes grazing on the commonage.

Four ewes belonging to farmer Martin Calvey were eventually put down due to their injuries and total damage of the attack was €1,044.40 when the the value of the sheep and the vet bills and the collection of the dead sheep were taken into account.

Commenting on the case, Judge Mary McAveety said she was not prepared to give Mr Kulendrai the benefit of the Probation Act despite him paying compensation.

“He is very lucky that this occurred in August and not in early spring in the middle of lambing season. I am acutely aware of the effect dog worrying has on sheep and farmers and it goes beyond the damage,” she said.

Mr Gary Mulchrone, solicitor for Mr Kulendrai explained that his client lives in Castlebar and is married and is a social care worker. He said that the family have a house on Achill and are regular visitors to the island and they never had any difficulty with the two dogs in the six years they have owned them.

He added that as a result of his client being knocked over by the dogs he injured his knee and had to undergo surgery. Mr Mulchrone said his client has learned lessons from the incident and no longer brings the two dogs out together and he regrets the incident and is very sorry for what happened.

He added that this was not an incident where Mr Kulendrai let the dogs roam out of control and stressed they were on a lease and had muzzles on them but they came off them when they got loose.

The court heard that compensation of €1,050 had been handed over to the State to be given to Mr Calvey and a victim impact statement was handed into the court.

When asked by Judge McAvetty if Mr Mulchrone had seen the victim impact statement,he said he had and accepted that there was a difference of opinion regarding what happened.

Mr Mulchrone accepted that his client's wife took the dogs away from the scene after the attack and did not approach the farmer at the time. The court heard the first time they approached the farmer and offered compensation was after they were informed by An Garda Siochána that there would be a prosecution for the incident.

“If the clock could have been wound back, matters would have been dealt with in a different way,” Mr Mulchrone said.

Judge McAveety said she was taking into account the fact compensation was only offered after the Garda investigation was carried out when deciding to impose the fine.