Irish Deer Society

19/04/2026

Representing humane dispatch Ireland and the Irish deer society

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BvReJyunq/?mibextid=wwXIfr

13/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18VBt1uzDR/?mibextid=wwXIfr

04/02/2026

Please keep your dog on a lead at all times when in the countryside. Even a “good” dog can cause serious harm around sheep.

A dog doesn’t need to bite to cause harm.

✅Chasing can cause pregnant ewes to miscarry
✅Ewes may panic, collapse, or die from stress
✅Lambs can be separated from their mothers and die from exposure or starvation

A dog that only chases can still kill lambs.

04/02/2026

Wicklow is under a Status Orange rain warning from 3am tomorrow, Thursday February 5th, to 3am Friday morning.

Due to this forecast, all visitor services in the National Park will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, February 5th.
The availability of visitor services on Friday February 6th will be determined after safety assessments and consideration of local weather forecasts

03/02/2026

🐑 Urgent reminder for dog owners in rural areas 🐕

As spring approaches and lambing begins, the risk to sheep increases — but this matters at all times of year, not just now.

Sheep worrying and attacks by dogs are devastating.
They cause extreme suffering and can wipe out livelihoods in minutes.

Please keep dogs under control at all times — on a lead when out, or better still safely at home.
Know where your pet is. Supervise them in your garden. Never assume they “would never chase.” Even the most well-behaved dog can act on instinct around livestock.

Respect the countryside. .
A moment of care, can prevent irreversible harm. 💚

03/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CTEdC8Yfy/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has said that Sika deer in Ireland do not need to be "culled en masse".

23/01/2026

🐑 Sheep Worrying: A Serious Issue During Lambing Season 🐕

As lambing season approaches, Gardaí are reminding dog owners of their responsibility to keep their dogs under effective control at all times, particularly in rural and farming areas.

Sheep worrying occurs when dogs chase, attack or disturb sheep. Even if no physical contact is made, the stress caused can have devastating consequences.

🔹 Why this matters
• Thousands of sheep are killed or injured each year by dogs.
• Sheep are valuable livestock and attacks can severely impact farmers’ livelihoods.
• Chasing alone can cause sheep can cause stress, resulting in ewes miscarrying lambs.
• Even well-behaved dogs can instinctively chase livestock.

🔹 What dog owners must do
• Always keep your dog on a lead when near farmland or livestock.
• Ensure your dog cannot escape from your property.
• Never allow dogs to roam freely in rural areas.
• Make sure your dog is microchipped, registered and licensed.

Responsible dog ownership protects animals, farmers, and your pet. It will be the responsibility of the dog’s owner if such incidents occur.

23/01/2026

They’re everywhere 🦌🦌

19/01/2026

The Paw Seasons Dog Resort & Spa. Recently contacted me regarding this female sika hind with a rather strange injury and seeking some advice regarding its welfare
After speaking to Coralee and looking at the photos and video it was decided that it is healthy and eating while running with other deer and we’ll monitor her closely to ensure her condition doesn’t deteriorate

19/01/2026

This video has recently been brought to our attention this is a direct result of people feeding and getting too close to the animals which are becoming less afraid of human contact
The dog and people in this video are extremely lucky not to have been injured
We strongly urge visitors to our national parks woodland and private land not to feed or approach wild animals particularly deer as they are extremely strong and unpredictable particularly stags which have large sharp antlers and can inflict serious injury Wicklow Uplands CouncilNNewstalkWWalking and Hiking Ireland