In addition, the law gives police new and improved powers to improve their investigations, including the power to seize and detain a dog where they have reasonable grounds to believe there is a risk that the dog could attack or worry livestock again. The dog can be detained until an investigation has been carried out or, if proceedings are brought for an offence, until those proceedings have been determined or withdrawn.
The power to take samples and impressions from a dog or livestock where the police have reasonable grounds to believe the dog has attacked or worried the livestock, and that a sample or impression might provide evidence of an offence. The sample or impression could then be used as evidence to support a prosecution.
the powers to enter and search premises to identify, seize and detain a dog for the prevention of future incidents, to collect samples or impressions, or seize any other evidence.
What this means for dog owners
Responsible access to the countryside is encouraged. Be aware of your surroundings when walking near livestock.
A dog does not need to make physical contact with animals to commit an offence under the new law. Chasing or disturbing livestock can cause harm.
The act:
is worded so that attacking livestock is treated separately from worrying livestock. This reframing helps make the violent nature of livestock attacks much clearer. It doesn’t create a new offence as both behaviours are already covered in the 1953 act, but it does make the distinction explicit
extends the law to cover livestock worrying and attacks that take place on roads and paths
includes camelids (as llamas and alpacas are commonly farmed)
introduces a new defence for dog owners to exempt them from liability where the dog was in the charge of another person at the time of the offence without the owner’s consent, for instance if the dog was stolen
introduces new powers allowing a court to order an offender to pay expenses associated with seizing and detaining a dog
provides a clear deterrent by increasing the penalty from a fine of up to £1,000 to an unlimited fine.
The Countryside Code advises that dogs should be kept on a lead around livestock. Always check local signs, as some areas require dogs to be on a lead all or part of the year.
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 has updated the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953. It will come into effect on Wednesday 18 March 2026. This legislation is only for England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own legislation on this matter.
Worrying mean -
• Attacks livestock
• Chases, stalks or frightens livestock
• Causes stress, injury, death, miscarriage or loss of produce
• A dog does NOT need to touch an animal for an offence to occur. The law covers a wide range of livestock, including:
• Sheep 🐑
• Cattle (cows, bulls, calves) 🐄
• Goats 🐐
• Pigs 🐖
• Horses 🐎
• Poultry (chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese) 🦃
• Alpacas and llamas 🦙
These protections apply on farmland and on public footpaths or roads where livestock are present. Under the updated law, police can now:
• Seize dogs involved in livestock worrying
• Enter premises with a warrant
• Take DNA and other evidence
• Recover costs from offenders
• Courts can issue unlimited fines.
As a dog owner, you need to:
• Keep dogs under close control near livestock
• Use a lead in fields with animals
• Public rights of way are included
• Remember, it's your dog. Your responsibility.
