Dog owners to face unlimited fines if their pets attack livestock under new law

Under new legislation designed to shield farm animals from attacks in England and Wales, dog owners face unlimited fines and could have their dogs confiscated.

On Wednesday, the updates to the existing livestock worrying rules, which date back more than 70 years, came into force, allowing police permission to obtain DNA samples from dogs suspected of attacking, chasing, or causing distress to farm animals.

According to insurers NFU Mutual, it is estimated that dogs killed nearly $2 million in 2025, up 10% from the previous year.

According to one farmer, dog attacks on his sheep were a nightmare, and countryside visitors must be better informed about the dangers.

In one case last June that saw about 35 ewes and lambs being attacked by a loose dog, Joshua Gay, who has a mixed farm near Newton St Loe, Somerset, lost thousands of pounds worth of livestock.

"Some were killed by the dog. Others were simply pushed into deep brambles and bushes, so they couldn't get out, and they actually baked like an oven and died, with 30 degrees and them in a wool fleece.

Smaller incidents are normal during the summer, according to Gay, as walkers "go where they aren't used to going.

They don't know the etiquette or countryside code, and they tend not to be aware or not in control. However, their dog may never have seen sheep before. Their dogs aren't used to it,

he said.

"The owners may think they know their dog, but the instinct takes precedence.

Legal 'step forward'

Helen Edmunds, 57, of Alpaca, Rhondda Cynon Taf, said the amendment to include camelids was critical because the number of owners had increased dramatically since the initial statute was enacted in 1953. Attacks could have a long-term psychological effect, according to her, adding that she recalled a dog attack on the sheep farm where she grew up and knew of fellow alpaca owners whose animals had sustained serious leg injuries after being bitten by dogs.

I am absolutely in favour of unlimited fines for irresponsible dog owners who let their dogs loose under no supervision, who allow them off lead in sheep fields and show no intention to discourage them from chasing livestock.

But she cautioned that responsible dog walkers, who would usually walk their dogs on leads while walking through agricultural fields, could be caught out if they came across stray animals on the road or if a farmer happened to be moving their livestock between fields. Dr Muir said that keeping dogs on a lead was the best alternative when livestock are present. The National Sheep Association conducted a survey of farmers and found that 87% of sheep farmers who responded had been attacked by a dog in the previous year. The Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents rural landowners, said the legislation was a serious step forward and that