A new law passed today sees farm animals in England and Wales get stronger protection from dog attacks, with the maximum penalty for Livestock Worrying increasing from £1,000 to an unlimited amount. Additionally, police now have powers to detain dogs believed to pose an ongoing threat to livestock.
Background
A survey of farmers from the National Sheep Association found that almost four in five (87%) sheep farmers have experienced a dog attack on their flock in the past year, with many reporting multiple incidents. NFU research published this year also found that the total cost of livestock worrying across the UK in the past year had reached £1.8 million. The Midlands alone saw an estimated £452,000 worth of livestock harmed by dog attacks, followed by the Southwest at £225,000.
The crackdown on livestock worrying is intended to support the safety and wellbeing of rural communities, and to reduce both the emotional and financial strain resulting from dog attacks. Farmers should now have a greater confidence that incidents will be investigated properly and that irresponsible dog owners held to account.
Increased police powers
The police now have greater powers and can investigate incidents more effectively under the new laws which came into effect today as part of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025. These include entering premises to secure evidence or animal DNA, with the aim of preventing future incidents. Alongside this, Courts will also be able to require offenders to cover the costs of seizing and caring for a detained dog.
The Act extends protection to incidents that happen on roads and paths, recognising that incidents can occur when farmers move their livestock, for example along a road to another field or milking parlour. It also expands the definition of livestock to include camelids such as llamas and alpacas.
Aphra Brandreth, MP for Chester South and Eddisbury, said:
"I’m delighted that the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill has now passed through the House of Lords and become law. This has been a long journey, first introduced by Baroness Coffey under the previous Government, and I’m thrilled to have taken it forward to finally bring it to this stage.
"This Bill updates legislation to give the police stronger powers to tackle dog attacks on livestock. These attacks cause distress and financial loss for farmers and harm to animals, so this change will make a real difference in protecting rural livelihoods and animal welfare.
"I’m hugely grateful for the support this Bill has received from across Parliament and from farming groups, the police, and rural communities. It’s been a long time coming, but I’m proud that together we’ve ensured this important measure has become law."
What's changed
- To better reflect the seriousness of certain incidents, the law now distinguishes more clearly between a dog attacking livestock and a dog worrying livestock. This does not create new offences but helps ensure the law better captures the nature and severity of what has happened.
- The Law expands the definition of livestock currently afforded protection to include camelids (such as llamas and alpacas) they are commonly farmed.
- The Act extends the locations covered to include roads and paths to cover incidents that may take place when animals are being moved, such as from one field to another.
- The Act introduces a new defence for dog owners where their dog worries livestock whilst in someone else’s charge without the consent such as if it had been stolen or taken without permission.
- Police will have new powers under the Act, including powers of seizure and detention, the power to take samples and impressions and powers of entry.
- The Act introduces new court powers allowing a court to order an offender to pay expenses associated with seizing and detaining a dog.
- The maximum penalty for an offence will be increased from a fine of up to £1,000 to an “unlimited” fine, to act as a deterrent.
Note: The Act applies to England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland already have their own livestock worrying legislation.
