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
