England and Wales toughen law on dog attacks on farms

From today, Wednesday 18 March 2026, farm animals in England and Wales have stronger legal protection from dog attacks. The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 updates the 1953 law, with tougher penalties and wider police powers to prevent repeat incidents. (loc.gov)

This is one to share with your walking group or class: livestock worrying is not only a bite. If a dog chases, frightens or causes distress to farm animals, that counts, and the updated wording draws a clearer line between attacking and worrying. Incidents on roads and paths now fall within scope too, recognising that livestock are often moved along lanes. (publications.parliament.uk)

The headline change is the penalty. The previous £1,000 cap has been replaced by an unlimited fine set by the court, a clear signal that careless behaviour around livestock is now treated far more seriously. (gov.uk)

Enforcement has been modernised. Where officers have reasonable grounds to believe a dog poses an ongoing risk to livestock, they can seize and detain it, apply for a warrant to enter premises, and take evidence such as DNA or impressions from dogs and injured animals. Courts can also order offenders to pay the costs of seizing and caring for a detained dog. (publications.parliament.uk)

Why this matters: the problem is widespread and costly. A National Sheep Association survey reported 87% of sheep farmers had experienced a dog attack on their flock in the last year. NFU Mutual estimates the cost of livestock worrying reached about £1.95 million in 2025, up 10% on 2024, with the Midlands worst‑hit at an estimated £438,000 and the South East £330,000. (commonslibrary.parliament.uk)

If you own or walk a dog, the safest habit is simple. Keep your dog under control and in sight, use a lead near livestock, follow local signs, and check your home or garden so dogs cannot escape into neighbouring fields. If cattle approach or you feel threatened, drop the lead so your dog can move away while you exit calmly. (gov.uk)

Picture a spring walk during lambing: the path crosses a field with ewes and lambs. Clip the lead on before the gate, give the flock space, avoid sudden movements, and leave the field if animals seem stressed. Even without a bite, chasing can cause injury or miscarriage in sheep, which is why control matters. (bluecross.org.uk)

For farmers and land managers, reporting and record‑keeping still count. Note what happened, when and where, keep photos or video if safe to do so, and share this with the police. Officers now have clearer powers to secure evidence and investigate quickly. (commonslibrary.parliament.uk)

Students and youth leaders planning Duke of Edinburgh’s Award or school walks can build this into a pre‑walk briefing. Mark fields with stock on your map, practise recall before the day, and remember that on Open Access land you must use a lead of no more than two metres between 1 March and 31 July, and at all times near livestock. (gov.uk)

Two common myths need a reset. A friendly dog can still commit an offence if it runs, stalks or frightens livestock; a bite is not required. And while there is now a defence if a dog worries livestock while in someone else’s charge without the owner’s consent-for example, if it was stolen-that is narrow and fact‑specific, so owners should report concerns immediately. (commonslibrary.parliament.uk)

Keep the geography straight. This Act applies in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland already have their own livestock‑worrying laws and penalties, so always check local rules if you travel. (gov.uk)

As Defra’s message puts it, the goal is fewer attacks, less distress and more confidence that cases will be properly investigated. For those of us learning and teaching how to share outdoor spaces, it comes down to respect: read the signs, close the gates, and keep dogs close. (gov.uk)