Dog house owners face limitless fines and will even have their pets seized in the event that they assault livestock beneath new legal guidelines
Dog owners could face unlimited fines and could have their pets seized if they attack livestock under new laws to protect farm animals in England and Wales.
The new legislation will lift a £1,000 cap on the penalty that courts can impose in dog attack cases.
Livestock worrying is the name given to when a dog you own or are in charge of chases, attacks, or causes distress to livestock on agricultural land.
Police have been given new powers to take DNA samples from dogs suspected of worrying farm animals.
Owners could also be forced to cover the costs of officers seizing and caring for detained dogs.
Peers and MPs also both agreed to give camelids, such as llamas and alpacas, the same protections as goats, sheep, cattle, and poultry.
Owners will also be able to be prosecuted on public roads and paths, rather than only on private land.
A survey of farmers from the National Sheep Association found that almost four in five (87 per cent) sheep farmers had experienced a dog attack in 2024. With many reporting multiple incidents.
New laws will mean dog owners will face unlimited fines and could have their pets seized if they attack or distress livestock
New legislation passed by Parliament will lift a £1,000 cap on the penalty that English and Welsh courts can impose in dog attack cases (file image)
Research by the Farmers’ Union found that the cost of livestock worrying has now reached £2 million, rising by 10 per cent from last year.
An estimated £428,000 worth of livestock was harmed by dogs in the Midlands alone.
The government hopes the changes will reduce the emotional and financial strain on farming communities affected by the attacks.
A spokesperson for Defra said: ‘These changes will reduce the emotional and financial strain placed on farming communities from these dangerous attacks.
‘This will not only save animals but save farmers from around £6,000 a year from replacing animals. While these incidents can unfold in moments, they leave lasting damage, harm businesses, affect livelihoods and cause considerable stress in rural communities. The new law brings much-needed, stronger powers to address the problem.
The announcement follows the government’s launch of a new Animal Welfare Strategy for England.
It has launched a Responsible Dog Ownership taskforce – a group of experts who will provide recommendations on ways to reduce dog attacks across England and Wales.
Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle said: ‘Farmers can now have greater peace of mind knowing that proper penalties are in place for people who carelessly let their dogs worry livestock.
‘Dog attacks have devastating consequences and this new law reflects the Government’s strong commitment to our farmers and animal welfare.’
Tory peer Baroness Therese Coffey, a former deputy prime minister, steered the Bill through the upper chamber.
Speaking at the time, she said: ‘Livestock worrying has devastating consequences, both for animals and farmers, and it can be horrific, causing brutal injuries that are tragically often fatal.
‘There are instances of stress causing pregnant livestock to miscarry, and separation of mothers and their young leading to hypothermia and of course starvation.’
In December, 23 sheep were reportedly killed by a hound that got into a farmer’s field near Macclesfield.
Armed police swarmed to the farm in Gawsworth a week before Christmas.
Each sheep is valued at £180, Mr Jackson said, meaning the cost of the killing spree is £4,140, plus £276 for the cost of having the knackerman come out to take them away at £12 a head.
