Law introduces unlimited fines for livestock attacks
Eighty-seven per cent of sheep farmers experienced a dog attack on their flock in the past year.
A new law has been passed, which the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says will give farm animals in England and Wales better protection from dog attacks.
The legislation will increase the fine for livestock worrying from £1,000 to an unlimited fine. Police will also have the power to detain dogs that pose an ongoing threat.
The law also now clearly distinguishes between a dog attacking livestock and a dog worrying livestock.
The news follows a survey of farmers, conducted by the National Sheep Association, which found that 87 per cent of sheep farmers had experienced a dog attack on their flock in the past year.
Many of these farmers reported multiple incidents of dog attacks on their flocks.
Research from the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has found the total cost of livestock worrying to the UK in the past year has reached £1.8m. The crime has cost farmers in the Midlands an estimate £452,000, and farmers in the Southwest £225,000.
The additional powers are among those that have come into effect as part of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025.
Police officers will also now be able to enter premises to secure evidence and animal DNA. Meanwhile, the Courts can now require offenders to cover the costs of seizing and caring for a detained dog.
The Act extends this protection to incidents which take place on roads and paths, which Defra says recognises cases that take place when livestock is being moved. The definition of ‘livestock’ is also extended to include camelids, such as llamas and alpacas.
Defra believes that the latest amendment will crack down on instances of livestock worrying, giving farmers the confidence that incidents will be investigated and irresponsible dog owners will be held to account.
Dame Angela Engle, farming minister, said: “Livestock worrying can have devastating consequences for farmers and their animals, with sheep, cows and other animals often suffering severe injuries, trauma or often death.
“These stronger protections will help keep livestock safe and give farmers more confidence that incidents can be quickly and properly investigated.”
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