In December 2025, the long-awaited amendments to the rules on livestock worrying by dogs were passed by Parliament under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025, with the amendments coming fully into force in mid-March 2026. The Act expands the definition of livestock worrying to include additional species and locations and gives the police new and strengthened powers to aid in their investigations. The penalty for livestock worrying offences has also dramatically increased.
What is the Law on Livestock Worrying?
Following the recent change in the law on livestock worrying by dogs, the definition of livestock worrying is as follows (the words in bold are the recent additions):
“If a dog attacks or worries livestock on any agricultural land or on a road or path, the owner of the dog, and, if it is in the charge of a person other than its owner, that person also, shall be guilty of an offence.”
““agricultural land” means land used as arable, meadow or grazing land, or for the purpose of poultry farming, pig farming, market gardens, allotments, nursery grounds or orchards.”
““livestock” means cattle, sheep, goats, swine, horses, camelids or poultry, and for the purposes of this definition “cattle” means bulls, cows, oxen, heifers or calves, “horses” includes asses and mules, and “poultry” means domestic fowls, turkeys, geese or ducks.””
“worrying livestock” means “chasing livestock in such a way as may reasonably be expected to cause injury or suffering to the livestock or, in the case of females, abortion, or loss of or diminution in their produce” or “being at large (that is to say not on a lead or otherwise under close control) in a field or enclosure in which there are sheep”
This essentially means that in the majority of cases where livestock, particularly sheep, are attacked or worried by a dog or dogs, the owner or person in charge of dog(s) will be guilty of a criminal offence and capable of prosecution. The new addition of road or path is especially helpful for sections of land which may not strictly fall into the definition of ‘agricultural’ but are nonetheless part of the farm and which are subject to public footpaths, as many livestock farms are.
The separation of ‘attacks’ from ‘worries’ appears at first blush to merely be a technical change, given ‘attacking’ was previously incorporated in the definition of worrying. However, it is actually an important distinction which ensures that persons in charge of dogs who cause their dogs to attack livestock which are trespassing on a road or path, can still be prosecuted. Livestock straying from their fields are therefore partially covered by the amendments. However, where livestock have strayed and are trespassing, if they are chased, but not attacked, then the dog owner may have a defence against prosecution.
What Powers do the Police have in relation to Livestock Worrying?
The amendments have provided strengthened powers for the police to enter premises and seize and detain dogs suspected of livestock worrying both when found without its owner or a person in charge of it and later where they have reasonable grounds to suspect a dog which has been involved in worrying is living.
One important and new police power provided by the Act is the power to collect samples and impressions from both the suspect dog and the worried livestock. In the case of worried livestock, where necessary the power is provided by a vet to obtain the sample or impression where to do so would amount to veterinary surgery. This will allow a greater chance of conviction as the evidence will be greatly strengthened. The majority of livestock worrying cases are not pursued by the police due to lack of evidence.
The Act also requires the police to keep a register of all dogs seized for livestock worrying and for that register to be available for public inspection. This should hopefully assist in keeping the police accountable and helping to track livestock worrying cases.
What are the Penalties for Livestock Worrying?
One of the major amendments in the Act which has been a long time coming for the farming community in England and Wales is the increased penalties for offences of livestock worrying.
Previously, the maximum penalty was £1,000 per offence. Under the new rules which will come into force in mid-March 2026, the maximum fine is now unlimited. No sentencing guidelines have yet been released in relation to this, but the fines will usually be based on the offender’s income, their culpability in the offence and the harm caused. This could result is some very large fines, which will hopefully act as a stronger deterrent to dog owners and walkers in rural areas.
In addition to fines, those found guilty of a livestock worrying offence can also be required to pay compensation under a compensation order. Under the new amendments, any costs of seizing and detaining the dog will be payable by the defendant under a compensation order, along with any compensation applied for by the farmer whose livestock have been worried.
What to do if your livestock have been attacked or worried
The top 5 things you should do are:
- Ensure any measures taken to prevent livestock worrying have been taken, such as securing all gates and fences and putting up signs advising dog walkers to keep their dogs on leads.
- Call the police as soon as possible
- Keep a detailed record of harm caused including tag numbers, photographs, vet bills, field reference numbers, footpath or road numbers and exact locations (what three words is great for this), details of the dog or dogs you suspect to have worried and their owners if you know of them. Do not dispose of the carcases of any dead livestock until you have spoken to the police officer appointed about samples and evidence. Provide all records and evidence to the police.
- Tell the officer appointed that you would like to apply for compensation under a compensation order if they pursue a prosecution.
- If the owner of the dog is known, but the police do not pursue criminal proceedings, you may be able to bring a civil claim against them or even a private prosecution. In those circumstances, seek legal advice.
If you have been a victim of livestock worrying and you would like legal advice, please don't hesitate to contact me.