A farmer shot dead a dog as it attacked him, members of Derry City Council’s environmental services committee will be told this week.
The dog was one of two which attacked and killed a number of sheep in a field in the Claudy area last year.
Committee members are expected to give the go ahead to council officials to instigate legal proceedings against the dog owner under the Dogs (NI) Order 1983.
In a report to come before the committee’s monthly meeting this Thursday, members will be told how one of two Husky dogs was shot and killed by the farmer when it attacked him.
Four sheep were killed and many more injured in the incident which occurred in a field at Altinure Road on 24 November last year.
Two sheep were killed instantly while another two died later from their injuries.
The farmer shot one of the dogs which then ran to attack him before it was killed by further shots.
The second dog escaped but was later identified when the dog owner contacted police to report the dog as missing.
As part of an investigation, the dog owner was invited to attend an interview at the Derry City Council offices to answer questions under Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) caution relating to the offences.
However, he failed to turn up for the interview.
Committee members will be told that due to the serious nature of the incident, council officials were recommending legal proceedings be instigated against the dog owner for the following offences:
:: keeping a dog without a licence
:: for a dog to stray
:: for a dog to worry livestock
:: for a dog to attack any person.
Committee members are also expected to give the go ahead for legal proceedings to be taken against seven dog owners for dog straying and licensing offences.
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