UK canine house owners warned pets will probably be ‘seized’ on road as new guidelines are available

Dog owners whose pets attack or chase livestock face unlimited fines and having their animals seized under new laws taking effect this week, with primate owners in England also needing licences from April 2026.

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Pet owners are being warned about two major legal changes coming into force over the next few months throughout the UK. Those who fail to adhere to the new regulations could be hit with hefty fines and risk having their beloved animals seized.

New rules for dog walkers are set to take effect in March, with pet owners potentially facing unlimited penalties and having their dogs confiscated. The updated legislation comes into force on March 18, 2026 – expanding police powers and meaning dog owners could be slapped with substantial fines if their pet breaches the regulations.

The legal overhaul affects people whose dogs attack livestock and will see potential penalties soar from £1,000 to unlimited, plus “the power to seize and detain a dog where they have reasonable grounds to believe there is a risk that the dog could attack or worry livestock again”.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs explained: “Livestock worrying can happen when a dog attacks, chases or is loose among livestock. Dogs don’t need to make contact for harm to occur.

“Fear and stress alone can harm livestock, and, in severe cases, cause them to die. The impact on livestock keepers can be devastating. They face financial loss as well as personal distress.”

The fresh legislation concerns people who own primates – whilst there are also penalties that could affect anyone taking their dog for a stroll, reports the Mirror. The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 will take effect on 6 April 2025, with a 12-month transition period.

From April 6, 2026, anyone privately keeping a primate in England will require a licence and must meet welfare standards matching those demanded in zoos. The licensing requirements cover the following species: Marmosets, Tamarins, Squirrel monkeys, Spider monkeys, Capuchin monkeys, Lemurs, Lorisids (also known as bush babies).

Councillor Andrew Last, Cabinet Member for HR, Corporate and Regulatory Services at Northampton Council, issued a warning: “These changes are about putting animal welfare first and recognising that primates have highly complex needs. Our priority as a Council is to make sure people are aware of what’s coming, understand the standards required, and have time to plan ahead.

“We want to support owners with clear information and guidance so that no one is taken by surprise when the licensing scheme comes into effect. ” Anyone currently keeping a primate, or who might be impacted by the changes, is urged to seek advice early and examine the licensing conditions well before April 2026.

Dog walking alterations

The legislation taking effect on March 18 is phrased so that attacking livestock is handled separately from worrying livestock. This reframing helps clarify the violent character of livestock attacks much more explicitly.

It doesn’t establish a fresh offence as both behaviours are already addressed in the 1953 act, but it does make the distinction clear. Regulations include:

• introduces a new defence for dog owners to exempt them from liability where the dog was in the charge of another person at the time of the offence without the owner’s consent, for instance if the dog was stolen

• introduces new powers allowing a court to order an offender to pay expenses associated with seizing and detaining a dog

• provides a clear deterrent by increasing the penalty from a fine of up to £1,000 to an unlimited fine

Furthermore, the legislation grants police enhanced powers to aid their investigations, including:

• the power to seize and detain a dog where they have reasonable grounds to believe there is a risk that the dog could attack or worry livestock again. The dog can be detained until an investigation has been carried out or, if proceedings are brought for an offence, until those proceedings have been determined or withdrawn

• the powers to enter and search premises to identify, seize and detain a dog for the prevention of future incidents, to collect samples or impressions, or seize any other evidence

For more information on the dog walking law click here.

Licensing procedure for primate ownership

The law will be implemented in England after 6 April 2026. Local councils are tasked with administering and enforcing this licensing system. They must ensure that:

• individuals who apply for a licence are likely to meet the licence conditions
• licences are not granted to individuals that are disqualified from keeping primates
• they take appropriate enforcement action against those individuals who do not have a licence when they should
• they monitor compliance with the licence conditions themselves

For more information on the primate law click here.

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