Government response to Animal Sentience Committee's assessment-Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill

The Government has now responded to the Animal Sentience Committee's assessment of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill, examining whether the government has fully considered the welfare of animals as sentient beings in relation to the Bill which has now become law.

The formal response is as below and can be found online here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-response-to-the-animal-sentience-committees-assessment-of-the-dogs-protection-of-livestock-amendment-bill

The Bill amends the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 (“the Act”). The amendments primarily focus on the following key areas:

modernising definitions in, and the scope of, the Act

strengthening police powers to support better enforcement

increasing the penalty for the offence of worrying livestock on agricultural land to an unlimited fine.

We note the Committee’s view that the Bill clearly enhances the welfare of livestock by increased protection measures and that adequate due regard has been given for the welfare of sentient animals in this policy.

We also note the Committee’s concerns about the potential negative impact of the welfare of dogs where they are seized and detained under the Act and the associated recommendations made by the Committee.

It is the Government’s view that addressing livestock worrying and reducing the number of incidents requires a balance to be struck between a range of factors, including the impact of livestock worrying on livestock welfare, the loss of livestock to farmers, the emotional impact of livestock incidents on farmers, dog welfare and the property rights of dog owners.

The Government considers that the new powers which the police will have through this Bill to seize and detain a dog where the police have reasonable grounds to believe there is a risk that a dog could attack or worry livestock are important tools to help address the risk of incidents of livestock attacks or livestock worrying.

The Government recognises potential negative impact on the welfare of dogs that are seized and detained under the Act for extended or frequent periods. Whilst the exercise of these new powers is a matter for the police, the Government would only expect dogs to be kennelled during a court case in exceptional circumstances where there are concerns of the dog attacking or worrying again.

The Government will keep the implementation of the Act under review.

We would like to thank the Committee for its consideration of the Bill.

Presented to Parliament pursuant to Section 3 of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022

New law changes come into force: Protection of Livestock

This week The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 comes into force,  it updates the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.

• The Act applies to England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland already have their own livestock worrying legislation.  
• To better reflect the seriousness of certain incidents, the law now distinguishes more clearly between a dog attacking livestock and a dog worrying livestock. This does not create new offences but helps ensure the law better captures the nature and severity of what has happened.  
• The law expands the definition of livestock currently afforded protection to include camelids (such as llamas and alpacas) that are commonly farmed. 
• The Act extends the locations covered to include roads and paths to cover incidents that may take place when animals are being moved, such as from one field to another. 
• The Act introduces a new defence for dog owners where their dog worries livestock whilst in someone else’s charge without their consent, such as if it had been stolen or taken without permission.
• Police will have new powers under the Act, including powers of seizure and detention, the power to take samples and impressions and powers of entry. 
• The Act introduces new court powers allowing a court to order an offender to pay expenses associated with seizing and detaining a dog.  
• The maximum penalty for an offence will be increased from a fine of up to £1,000 to an “unlimited” fine, to act as a deterrent.

Defra advice to dog owners:

• Follow The Countryside Code when visiting these areas
• Any dog is capable of livestock worrying - always keep dogs under control and in sight
• It is good practice to keep dogs on a lead when walking in rural areas where livestock are kept, but let go of the lead if chased by cattle
• Always follow local signs
• Report any incidents of livestock worrying to the police or local farmers
• Ensure dogs cannot escape from homes or gardens near livestock fields