Uruguay: Concern over repeated dog attacks on sheep

An unfortunate incident occurred on the morning of Wednesday, June 28, 2023, when two dogs attacked a flock of sheep at the "Granja Roland" ranch in Caorsi, in the city of Trinidad, capital of the department of Flores.

According to Pablo Caorsithe owner of the cottage, the dogs caused irreparable harm in sheep, including animals being prepared for lambing. Expo Prado 2023and a ram recently acquired for US$18,000.

Severe damages and a call for citizen responsibility

"Brutal helplessness." is what Caorsi feels, describing the desolate scenario of injured and bitten sheep on his farm, which has a rich and almost centenary history. The situation not only represents an estimated economic loss of $30,000, but also a blow to the state-of-the-art genetics of the Corriedale breed, which is bred on the farm.

Caorsi adds that his call is for responsible dog ownership and for reconsideration by those who advocate dogs running loose or without human supervision.

According to the producer, such attacks are forcing many sheep farmers to abandon this productive activity.

SCCU reveals criticism and deep unease

The Uruguayan Corriedale Breeders Society (SCCU) has expressed its concern and a series of questions in a recent communiqué. It questions whether, in the conversation about animal welfare and social coexistence, sheep and sheep farmers are taken into account.

It is claimed that the producers have long suffered from this "plague of dogs without responsible owners".and that their calls to combat it seem to fall on deaf ears.  "I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE SHEEP, LET THEM DISAPPEAR".(in capital letters, as shown in the document) would seem to be the position of those who would ignore the problem, according to the interpretation of the SCCU, which exhibits in your communication.

ARU press release. Solidarity with those affected and criticism of INBA.

"In view of the attack registered by a pack of dogs in the early hours of last night in an establishment in the department of Flores, the Rural Association of Uruguay expresses its solidarity with this and with all the producers who have suffered damages and deaths in their flocks. 

Sheep breeding is a very sacrificial work and has been one of the pillars of the economic development of our country. As Uruguayans, we should show more respect for this sector, which was responsible for the largest exports of our country in much of the twentieth century. 

Today, with an important change in the wool markets, added to the constant dog attacks and cattle rustling, it is becoming increasingly difficult for producers to maintain this business, which implies a reduction in the diversification of income and endangers the sustainability of a wool industry that generates sources of employment for the country. 

We are not satisfied with the results obtained by the Animal Welfare Institute, which has defined an agenda focused on domestic animals, neglecting production animals and the problems that afflict them"..