Dog owners in England and Wales face significantly tougher legal consequences under new legislation designed to strengthen protections for livestock, with reforms confirmed to take effect on 18 March 2026.
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 has received Royal Assent and will update the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, introducing stronger enforcement powers, expanded definitions and increased penalties, including unlimited fines.
The new legislation applies to England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland operate separate legal regimes governing livestock worrying.
The reforms respond to increasing incidents of livestock worrying, driven by higher dog ownership and greater public access to rural areas. Livestock attacks can result in financial loss, animal welfare issues and significant distress for farmers.
The government has emphasised that the changes are not intended to restrict access to the countryside, but to ensure responsible behaviour and protect both livestock and those who manage agricultural land.
Changes to UK Dog Laws
The legislation modernises a framework that has remained largely unchanged since 1953, reflecting increased dog ownership and greater use of rural land by the public.
Unlimited fines for livestock worrying offences
The previous cap on financial penalties, historically limited to £1,000, will be removed. Courts will instead have discretion to impose unlimited fines, allowing sentencing to reflect the seriousness of the offence and the impact on livestock keepers.
Clearer distinction between attacking and worrying livestock
The amended Act distinguishes more clearly between attacking livestock and worrying livestock. While both behaviours were already covered under the existing law, the revised wording emphasises the seriousness of direct attacks while maintaining liability for broader harmful conduct.
Expanded scope of where offences can occur
The law will apply not only in fields and enclosures but also on public roads and footpaths that cross agricultural land. This reflects the reality of countryside access and reduces ambiguity in enforcement.
Inclusion of additional animal categories
The definition of livestock will be extended to include camelids, such as llamas and alpacas, alongside existing categories including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry and farmed deer.
New statutory defence for dog owners
A new defence will apply where a dog was under the control of another person without the owner’s consent at the time of the offence, for example in cases involving theft or unauthorised handling.
Recovery of enforcement costs
Courts will be able to order offenders to pay costs associated with the seizure and detention of dogs, reflecting the operational burden on enforcement authorities.
Strengthened Police Powers
The Act introduces a range of new and enhanced police powers aimed at improving investigation and prevention of livestock worrying incidents.
Power to seize and detain dogs
Police will be able to seize and detain a dog where there are reasonable grounds to believe there is a risk that the dog could attack or worry livestock again. Detention can continue during investigation and, where relevant, throughout legal proceedings.
Power to collect evidence
Officers will have authority to take samples and impressions from dogs or livestock where this may provide evidence of an offence. This strengthens the evidential basis for prosecutions.
Power to enter and search premises
The legislation provides powers to enter and search premises to identify, seize and detain dogs, and to obtain evidence linked to suspected offences.
Updated Definition of Livestock Worrying
The statutory definition of livestock worrying continues to focus on the risk of harm rather than actual injury. Behaviour covered by the offence includes:
- Attacking livestock
- Chasing livestock in a way likely to cause injury, suffering or loss of produce
- Being at large in a field or enclosure containing sheep
The legislation and accompanying guidance confirm that physical contact is not required. Fear and stress alone can cause significant harm to livestock, including injury or death in severe cases.
Practical Implications for Dog Owners
The reforms increase both the legal and financial risk associated with failing to control a dog around livestock.
Unlimited fines allow courts to impose penalties that reflect the scale of harm, including cases involving multiple animals or significant economic loss.
Enhanced police powers enable earlier and more proactive action, including preventative seizure of dogs where risk is identified.
Dog owners can be liable even where no physical attack occurs. Allowing a dog to chase or disturb livestock may be sufficient where harm is reasonably foreseeable.
Implications for Dog Boarding, Breeding & Care Providers
The new livestock worrying regime operates alongside existing regulatory requirements for dog-related commercial activities, including boarding, breeding and other licensed animal activities under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.
Businesses involved in dog boarding, day care or breeding are already subject to licensing conditions imposed by local authorities, covering welfare standards, supervision, control measures and risk management. The livestock worrying reforms do not replace these obligations but add an additional layer of legal exposure where dogs under a business’s care are involved in incidents.
Where a dog is under the control of a boarding provider, walker or other third party, liability may shift depending on the circumstances. The new statutory defence for owners reflects this, but operators should ensure clear contractual terms, supervision protocols and insurance arrangements are in place to manage risk.
In practical terms, licensed operators should review how dogs are managed in environments where livestock may be present, particularly during walks or outdoor activities.
- Carrying out documented risk assessments for walks in rural or agricultural areas
- Implementing clear policies requiring dogs to be kept on leads near livestock
- Providing staff training on countryside access rules and livestock awareness
These measures form part of a wider compliance approach. Failure to implement adequate controls could expose operators not only to licensing enforcement action but also to criminal liability under livestock worrying laws.
Author
Gill Laing is a qualified Legal Researcher & Analyst with niche specialisms in Law, Tax, Human Resources, Immigration & Employment Law.
Gill is a Multiple Business Owner and the Managing Director of Prof Services - a Marketing Agency for the Professional Services Sector.
