A new law has come into effect in England and Wales that significantly increases the penalties for livestock worrying and gives police new powers to investigate and act on dog attacks against farm animals. The changes came into force on 18 March 2026 and are intended to reduce livestock deaths and injuries, ease the financial burden on farmers, and provide stronger deterrents for irresponsible dog owners.
Key Points at a Glance
- The maximum penalty for livestock worrying rises from £1,000 to an unlimited fine
- Police gain new powers to seize and detain dogs, enter premises, take DNA samples, and collect evidence
- Protection is extended to camelids such as llamas and alpacas
- The law now covers incidents on roads and paths, not just agricultural land
- 87% of sheep farmers experienced a dog attack in 2024, according to the National Sheep Association
- The estimated national cost of livestock worrying has reached almost £2 million
What Is Livestock Worrying?
Livestock worrying occurs when a dog that you own or are in charge of chases, attacks, or causes distress to livestock on agricultural land. It can result in serious injury or death to farm animals, and even where animals survive, the stress caused can affect their health, productivity, and welfare. For farmers, a single incident can mean significant financial loss and considerable emotional strain.
Why This Law Was Needed
Dog attacks on livestock have remained a persistent and costly problem. A survey by the National Sheep Association found that almost four in five, specifically 87%, of sheep farmers experienced a dog attack on their flock in 2024, with many reporting multiple incidents in the same year. Research by the National Farmers' Union found that the cost of livestock worrying has risen by 10% from the previous year, reaching almost £2 million nationally. The Midlands alone saw an estimated £438,000 worth of livestock harmed by dog attacks, followed by the South East at £330,000. Farmers can lose around £6,000 a year replacing animals killed or injured in attacks.
The previous maximum penalty of £1,000 was widely regarded as insufficient to deter irresponsible dog owners, and police powers to investigate incidents were limited. The new law addresses both of these gaps.
What the Law Changes
| Area | Previous position | New position (18 March 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum penalty | Up to £1,000 fine | Unlimited fine |
| Police powers | Limited | Seizure & detention of dogs, powers of entry, DNA sampling, evidence collection |
| Definition of livestock | Traditional farm animals | Expanded to include camelids (llamas, alpacas) |
| Where the law applies | Agricultural land | Now includes roads and paths |
| Court powers | Standard fines | Courts can order offenders to pay costs of seizing and caring for detained dogs |
| Owner defence | Not clearly defined | New defence if dog was in someone else's charge without consent (e.g., stolen) |
Why Roads and Paths Are Now Included
Incidents do not only occur in fields. Farmers regularly move livestock along roads and paths, for example between fields or to milking parlours. The previous law did not clearly cover these situations. The new law extends protection to these transitional spaces, recognising that the risk to animals does not stop at the field boundary.
The Distinction Between Attacking and Worrying
The law now more clearly distinguishes between a dog attacking livestock and a dog worrying livestock, to better reflect the nature and severity of different incidents. This does not create new offences but helps ensure the law captures what has actually happened more accurately.
What Farmers Should Do
The government advises farmers to report all incidents of livestock worrying to the police, to record and retain any information or evidence relating to an incident where available, and to share that information with police promptly. These steps help police use their expanded powers effectively, including the new ability to enter premises to secure evidence or take animal DNA samples.
What Dog Owners Should Do
The government and the Countryside Code advise dog owners to keep dogs under control and in sight at all times when in rural areas, and to use a lead around livestock as good practice. Dog owners should also ensure their dogs cannot escape from homes or gardens near livestock fields. If chased by cattle, the Countryside Code advises dog owners to drop the lead so both the person and the dog can reach safety more easily.
The government emphasises that any dog is capable of worrying livestock, regardless of breed or temperament.
Ministerial Statement
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."
Wider Policy Context
This law forms part of the government's Animal Welfare Strategy for England. Alongside the new legislation, the government has reconvened the Responsible Dog Ownership Taskforce, a group of experts that will provide recommendations on ways to encourage responsible dog ownership and reduce dog attacks across England and Wales more broadly.
Where the Law Applies
The Act applies to England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland already operate under their own separate livestock worrying legislation.
Conclusion
The strengthened law reflects a practical reality, livestock can become distressed simply by seeing a dog, even at a distance or on the other side of a road or hedge. For many species, especially sheep and camelids, fear responses can be triggered without any physical contact or chasing. These reactions can lead to injury, miscarriage, or animals breaking fencing as they attempt to flee.
By expanding the definition of livestock worrying and extending protections to roads and paths, the legislation recognises that harm can occur in moments that may appear harmless to dog owners. At the same time, the broader scope inevitably places new responsibilities on people walking dogs in the countryside, who may now need to take additional precautions even when their dog is not interacting directly with livestock.
The intention behind the law is to reduce preventable harm and support rural communities, but it also highlights the importance of shared spaces, shared responsibilities, and the need for clear guidance so that dog owners can enjoy countryside access while minimising risks to farm animals.
At the same time, the new framework highlights a broader tension in how different areas of dog related law treat evidence. In livestock worrying cases, police can use DNA to identify an individual dog involved in an incident. Yet in breed specific legislation, DNA is not accepted as proof of breed or type, because the law relies on visual assessment rather than genetics. This creates a noticeable inconsistency, DNA is considered reliable enough for criminal identification, but not for determining whether a dog meets the legal definition of a prohibited type.
Sources & Further Reading
- Gov.UK — New law comes into force to protect farm animals from dog attacks Archived copy (OGL): archived page
- Gov.UK — The Countryside Code: advice for countryside visitors Archived copy (OGL): archived page
AI Use: AI tools were used to support source discovery and to structure the article for clarity. All research, verification, drafting, and final editorial decisions are fully human led.