Dog owners now face unlimited fines and their pets being taken away under new laws aimed at protecting farm animals.
The UK government said the stronger protections, which come into effect from Wednesday, are designed to prevent livestock death and injury in England and Wales, saving farmers thousands of pounds each year.
Under the reforms, the maximum penalty for livestock worrying has increased from £1,000 to an unlimited fine, and police now have powers to detain dogs they suspect may attack or worry livestock. Livestock worrying happens when a dog you own or are in charge of chases, attacks, or causes distress to livestock on agricultural land.
Almost four in five (87 per cent) sheep farmers experienced a dog attack on their flock in 2024, according to a survey of farmers from the National Sheep Association, with many reporting multiple incidents. Recent National Farmers’ Union research found that the cost of livestock worrying has risen by 10 per cent from the previous year, now reaching almost £2 million.
Farming minister Dame Angela Eagle said that dog attacks have “devastating” consequences. “Farmers can now have greater peace of mind knowing that proper penalties are in place for people who carelessly let their dogs worry livestock,” she said.
The police will now have greater powers, including entering premises to secure evidence or animal DNA, enabling more effective investigations, while courts will be able to require offenders to cover the costs of seizing and caring for a detained dog.
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs said these changes aim to save animals’ lives, which in turn will save farmers from having to spend around £6,000 a year on replacing livestock.
“While these incidents can unfold in moments, they leave lasting damage, harm businesses, affect livelihoods and cause considerable stress in rural communities,” it said.
The law extends protection to incidents that happen on roads and paths, and also expands the definition of livestock to include camelids such as llamas and alpacas.
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 applies only to England and Wales, as Scotland and Northern Ireland already have their own livestock worrying legislation.
