Neighbours sheep always in my garden??

If the OP has a dog then they would be responsible for keeping that dog in. If sheep can get in, a dog can get out. In the extremely unlikely scenario where sheep wander into a garden where a regular dog is happily playing around, and the dog attacks them but doesn't leave your property, then technically it would not come under the Control of Dogs Act. But for practical reasons, if you have a dog that kills or injures like that, they will do it again once they have tasted the blood. So if you think you have come up with a "genius" idea, then you might find out it backfires.

The only one that matters is that the owner is be default responsible for their animals. Anything after that comes in under damages. Sheep eating a bit of grass in a garden isn't going to do it any harm. But the house owner could see dollar signs and run to their solicitor if they want.

There is actually a nuance which I can't remember exactly for cattle (which might also be interpreted to include sheep depending on the act). There is a difference between the animal coming onto your property via a neighbouring field etc. and coming in from the public road.

These threads seem to descend into the same old same old anytime someone posts on here regarding fences ,stock straying etc .

Not interested in getting into a tit for tat discussion on this subject .

What does amuse me is the amount of people who give advice with the certainty of an Oracle .

For a start I keep sheep (a fair bit in excess of the national flock average but less than a few years ago ) .I have had sheep break out on numerous occasions over the years ,at times onto the road and at other times onto farmland or gardens etc .I have had sheep break into corn crops , sheep break into field of beet just before harvesting ,sheep break into neighbours meadow and grazing fields, sheep break into neighbours garden ,sheep on the road for which I had to claim on my insurance (1k) for damage done to the vehicle after they managed to drive though 500 freshly weaned ewes at 3 miles an hour .I have always immediately fenced anywhere sheep got out ,asked what damage if any was done and informed the person that if they had an expense to please let me know and I would notify my insurance company .Not much point in paying insurance if you are not prepared to use it .On no occasion has my premium risen due to a claim and a couple were heading for 5 figure sums .

On the other hand I have had cattle and sheep along with a horse or two break in here both into fields and into my garden .I just ring the owner and let them know .I have never had a constant problem ie in every case both with myself and my neighbours the issue is rectified asap .

The idea that I would fence to keep out my neighbours stock or that I would expect them to fence out mine is ridiculous in the extreme .Last winter had some ewes grazing on a 90 acre take of green cover which has 7 houses along the bounds along with some less than exciting hedges .Before a sheep was put on it I fenced the entire bounds with polywire and plactic stakes as well as using a few timber ones around the houses .Took a little time and effort but good fences make good neighbours (and I wanted to make sure and get back this year !)

As regards the dog bit have had 2 serious dog problems in the last 10 years along with the usual sporadic issues you get at times when grazing away from home .In neither case was compensation forthcoming due to various reasons despite prolonged efforts .Unknown dogs are now shot on sight here and have shot dogs for neighbours when asked .I am well aware at this stage of the ins and outs of the law on dogs and stock worrying .

All the above said I have never sent a letter ,solicitors or otherwise , or even contemplated court ,legal proceedings etc .Have always reported any thing like dog attacks to the Gardai and followed up on it .they have always taken an interest and have called to people to make them aware of their dog wandering and that it will be shot if seen again .Usually does the trick I find .

Most stuff like this is easily sorted in the beginning if people are reasonable and take responsibility .Where I live and farm has seen a lot of new houses over the last 20 years (no sites sold here but Eamonn Ryan might force me to part with some yet !) and it has changed the nature of things a bit .Almost impossible to move either cattle or sheep on the road between houses and traffic plus lack of help .

It's not about dollar signs, it about making the farmer aware of his responsibility, which he is currently ignoring, and sometimes money, or potential loss of money, makes people sit up and see sense.(also this was just 1 possible action)

Also another action that is suggested, is simply to report these loose sheep to the authorities, and leave the other stuff.

My issue is with some posters saying the OP should fence their garden, buts it's the famer that should control their sheep, which they are refusing to do.

They're coming from a neighbour's garden adjacent to the fields.

Ah the poor poor farmers ochone ochone.

At least stick to the topic at hand.

Tbh Paddy, I find it had to believe the OP. The post is about the stereotypical thick farmer. Please yourself if you want to swallow everything that you read or hear.