Dog owners whose pets attack or chase farm animals now face unlimited fines.
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 has received Royal Assent, strengthening livestock worrying laws in England and Wales.
The maximum penalty has been increased from £1,000 to an unlimited fine, and police have been given wider powers to intervene where dogs pose an ongoing risk to livestock.
A survey of farmers from the National Sheep Association found that almost four in five (87%) sheep farmers had experienced a dog attack on their flock in the past year, with many reporting multiple incidents.
NFU research published this year also found that the total cost of livestock worrying across the UK in the past year had reached £1.8 million.
The Midlands alone saw an estimated £452,000 worth of livestock harmed by dog attacks, followed by the South West at £225,000.
Cheshire farmers are also reporting a “significant” rise in incidents – including Roger Egglestone of Smithy Farm on Buxton Road, Congleton, who lost 19 sheep.
As we reported earlier this year, 12 of his sheep were killed and a further seven or eight were likely to have been “mortally wounded” in one attack, and only days later three more of his flock were mauled and killed while a further 10 suffered serious injuries.
Some sheep appeared to have drowned in the canal as they attempted to escape from the dogs.
The attack, the fifth on his flock in 10 years, cost Mr Egglestone around £4,000. He had lost around 40 sheep to dog attacks over the last decade, he said.
He said at the time: “I’m not keen on shooting dogs – but I’m not keen on shooting sheep either. I feel sorry for the dogs really, it’s only instinct. It’s down to ownership.
“Hopefully it will send a little message out to anybody else about sheep worrying. Everybody assumes their dog would never do it, but I think every dog is capable of doing it.”
NFU member Nigel Potts, who runs a sheep farm near Macclesfield, lost a number of sheep in two attacks.
He told us earlier this year: “There was a big rise in dog ownership in lockdown and many people don’t understand what can happen in the countryside when they don’t have control of their dogs. Sadly, the situation has been getting worse.
“It has a financial impact on the business, but the animal welfare issue is the main concern.”
He added: “It is really awful to see the animals suffer in this way and it is upsetting for the pet owners who just didn’t expect their dog was capable of such things.”
Livestock worrying includes barking, chasing, biting and killing, and is a criminal offence.
Under the updated legislation, police will be able to enter premises to secure evidence, including animal DNA, seize and detain dogs suspected of being involved in attacks, and investigate incidents more effectively.
Courts will also have the power to order offenders to pay the costs associated with seizing and caring for detained dogs.
The act strengthens and updates existing law rather than creating new offences, but it more clearly distinguishes between a dog attacking livestock and a dog worrying livestock, to better reflect the seriousness of incidents.
It also extends protection to attacks that take place on roads and paths, recognising that livestock are often vulnerable when being moved between fields or to milking parlours.
The definition of livestock has been expanded to include camelids such as llamas and alpacas.
The Government said: “These changes will reduce the emotional and financial strain placed on farming communities from these dangerous attacks.
“While these incidents can unfold in moments, they leave lasting damage, harm businesses, affect livelihoods and cause considerable stress in rural communities.
“The new law brings much needed stronger powers to address the problem.”
Aphra Brandreth, MP for Chester South and Eddisbury, whose constituency runs round the west of Alsager and abuts Newcastle, said she was pleased the legislation had finally become law after a lengthy Parliamentary process, adding that it would give the police “stronger powers to tackle dog attacks on livestock” and make a real difference to animal welfare and rural livelihoods.
Ms Brandreth said: “I’m delighted this has now passed through the House of Lords and become law.
“This has been a long journey, first introduced by Baroness Coffey under the previous Government, and I’m thrilled to have taken it forward to finally bring it to this stage.
“This bill updates legislation to give the police stronger powers to tackle dog attacks on livestock. These attacks cause distress and financial loss for farmers and harm to animals, so this change will make a real difference in protecting rural livelihoods and animal welfare.”
She added: “I’m hugely grateful for the support this bill has received from across Parliament and from farming groups, the police, and rural communities.
“It’s been a long time coming, but I’m proud that together we’ve ensured this important measure has become law.”
Farming minister Dame Angela Eagle said: “Livestock worrying can have devastating consequences for farmers and their animals, with sheep, cows and other animals often suffering severe injuries, trauma or death.”
She said the stronger protections would “help keep livestock safe and give farmers more confidence that incidents can be quickly and properly investigated”.
Rural campaigners said the changes were also about preventing attacks before they happen by reinforcing the responsibilities of dog owners.
Hannah Binns, NFU Mutual rural affairs specialist, said: “After years of industry campaigning, we’re delighted that this new legislation has received Royal Assent.”
She described it as “a significant step forward in tackling dog attacks on farm animals”, warning that “all dogs are capable of chasing, injuring and killing farm animals, regardless of size, breed and temperament”.
She said even chasing could cause sheep to miscarry and urged owners to act responsibly: “It is therefore vital dog owners act responsibly and keep their pets on leads wherever livestock may be nearby to prevent these needless attacks.”
Ministers said the tougher penalties and enhanced police powers were intended to act as a deterrent, reduce the emotional and financial strain on farming families and ensure irresponsible dog owners are held to account.
