Dog Owners To Face Unlimited Fines If Their Dog Attacks Livestock Under New Livestock Protection Law
Dog owners in England and Wales face unlimited fines and the potential seizure of their pets under new legislation that came into force today that increases the legal protections for farm animals against dog attacks.
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 replaces rules that had been largely unchanged since 1953. Since the last change to the law livestock numbers have doubled and countryside visits have become far more common. The old maximum penalty of £1,000 has been scrapped entirely in favour of an unlimited fine, and police now have powers to seize dogs they believe pose an ongoing risk to livestock, take DNA samples from suspected animals, and enter premises to gather evidence.
Courts can also order offenders to cover the costs of seizing and caring for a detained dog. The law now covers incidents that happen on roads and public paths, not just on private farmland to recognise that farmers often move their animals between fields along roads. Llamas and alpacas have also been added to the definition of protected livestock for the first time.
The scale of the problem the legislation is trying to address is significant. Research from NFU Mutual put the cost of livestock worrying at nearly £2 million in 2025, a 10% rise on the previous year, with the Midlands alone accounting for an estimated £438,000 in harm. A National Sheep Association survey found 87% of sheep farmers had experienced a dog attack in the past year.
Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle said the new law reflected the government's "strong commitment to our farmers and animal welfare," adding that farmers could now have "greater peace of mind knowing that proper penalties are in place for people who carelessly let their dogs worry livestock."
Dog behaviourist Dr Anna Muir welcomed the tougher stance on irresponsible owners, but flagged that conscientious walkers could still find themselves caught out, for instance if they encountered livestock unexpectedly on a road, or if a farmer happened to be moving animals while they were walking. She said the safest approach wherever livestock might be present was to keep dogs on a lead at all times.
Gavin Lane, president of the Country Land and Business Association, called the change a "serious step forward," saying "farmers should not have to live in fear of dogs attacking their animals."
The government has stressed the law is not aimed at restricting countryside access, but at ensuring it can continue safely. Official guidance makes clear that a dog does not need to make physical contact to commit an offence, chasing or disturbing livestock is enough.
